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Tips to Improve Curb Appeal Before Selling

Here are some helpful tips to enhance the curb appeal to your home before you put it on the market ready for Buyers to walk through!

• Remove Clutter
  • Move parked cars (especially prior to a showing)
• Hide trash cans
  • Put away bikes and outdoor toys if possible.
  • Throw away rusty patio furniture
  • Discard dirty or broken décor, like wind chimes and water features
• Tackle Overgrowth
  • Take the time to prune shrubs & bushes, trim hedges, remove dead or overgrown tree limbs and mow the lawn.
• Pressure-wash
  • Pressure-wash exterior surfaces, including siding, walkways, sidewalks and driveways, to remove dirt and grime. Just don’t pressure-wash any caulking or roofing, as it can cause damage that leads to leaks.
• Handle miscellaneous repairs
  • Repair, paint, stain or replace any broken fencing or railings.
  • Similarly, fill any sidewalk cracks, swap out broken pavers and replace cracked gutters or downspouts.
• Plant fragrant flowers
  • Flowers do more than just provide visual interest. Aromatic, sweet-scented flowers set the tone as soon as the buyer walks up and leave a lasting impression. Just don’t overwhelm people with fragrant flowers too close to the entryway.
  • Jasmine, roses, lavender and thyme are all good options. Pay attention to seasonality so you can get something that's blooming during your listing time. If you're selling in late winter, sarcococca is a great choice.
• Clean all windows
  • Clean your windows, both inside and out, with a window cleaning product or vinegar-water solution. Avoid cleaning windows when they're in the direct sun, as they'll dry too quickly and leave streaks.
  • Before showings and open houses (and before your real estate photos are taken), open all blinds and curtains. Natural light is important to buyers, so you'll want them to notice the number and size of the windows, especially if windows are one of your home's best features.
• Highlight the entry
  • Frame the front of your home by keeping things symmetrical. Place identical potted plants (or groupings of container gardens) on both sides of the staircase leading to the front porch or on either side of the front door.
  • If your home has a generously sized front porch, use decor and plants to show it off.
• Edge the walkway
  • Give your walkway a polished look by lining it with brick pavers or adding solar-paneled lights — an easy DIY project, as there's no electricity required! If you don't have a pathway up to your front door, consider adding inexpensive stepping stones