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8 SIMPLE WAYS TO IMPROVE ANY HOME’S CURB APPEAL

March 27, 2019

 By CHRISTINA EL MOUSSA

 

Every successful house flipper knows just how important curb appeal is. When your house looks beautiful on the outside, people will be curious to see what’s on the inside. When it looks boring or rundown, people aren’t going to even give you a chance. But how can you improve curb without spending thousands of dollars? Just follow my favorite eight tips:

Pressure wash everything

Sometimes, big renovations are necessary – for example, you might have to completely redo the siding on a home or repave the driveway. But other times, you might be surprised to find out that a lot of these things can be vastly improved by simply cleaning them. When you pressure wash away cobwebs, dirt, and mold off of the side of your home or roof, you may find that you have a perfectly good exterior that buyers will love. And by washing your sidewalk, front walk, and driveway, too, could discover that you have salvageable pavement as well.

Add a new mailbox

What’s the first thing a lot of people see when they drive or walk by your house? Your mailbox. If it’s rusty, dented, or covered in chipped paint, it can send the message that you neglect your home. Obviously, mailboxes should complement the home, not drag it down, so you might want to replace it. The good news is that mailboxes are usually inexpensive and easy to install, so it’s the perfect way to improve your curb appeal without spending tons of time or cash.

Double check the roof

Until a roof starts leaking, most people forget tend to forget about it. However, when it comes to selling houses, this is a mistake. A single missing shingle or some dark streaks are definitely something that buyers will notice and be turned off by. While you don’t have to redo the entire roof, definitely clean it and consider replacing any empty patches, too.

Add some color with plants                                            

Plants add the colorful and welcoming vibe that homeowners love. If you’re not an expert gardener, maybe try adding a hanging plant near the front door, or arrange some flower pots on the front deck. If you’re willing to put in a little more effort, you could also plant a small tree or two, or even consider planting a full garden. While this may take a little bit more time, it’s still relatively inexpensive and will drastically improve your curb appeal.

Touch up your paint

Did you know that you can get a good can of paint for less than $40? That price alone is reason enough to consider using paint to spruce up your exterior, even if you think the house doesn’t necessarily “need it”. Plus, picking fun complimentary paint colors will make your home stand out and seem more inviting. The best part is that you don’t need to give the whole house a new coat of paint to make a difference, either – painting the front door, trim, or shutters will be enough to make the whole house pop.

 

Step up your gutter game

Gutters are yet another thing homeowners tend to ignore until there’s a problem. But if your gutter system is old, there’s a chance that it could be covered in rust spots or paint chips, which sends the wrong message to potential buyers. At the very least, clean out your gutters to get rid of twigs, leaves, and dirt, and try to replace (at least some of) the system if necessary.

Install outdoor lights

Adding outdoor lighting is an easy way to add curb appeal without dropping tons of crash. The right lights will add value and style to your front yard while also helping safely guide visitors to your front door. Sounds like a win-win to me.

Open blinds and curtains

Last but not least, make sure you open your blinds the day of a showing. Most people don’t think about it, but a house with open shutters, curtains, and blinds, looks way more inviting than one that’s closed up. Not only does this improve your curb appeal, but it helps the interior of your home look brighter and bigger, too.


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