"Curb Appeal." You read about this in articles about real estate
news, hear about it from realtors and friends who have sold homes before, but
what does it all mean? And how does it affect you?
When you drive through a neighborhood, some homes whiz past unnoticed,
while others manage to catch your eye, almost forcing you to turn your head for
a better look. That’s curb appeal!
If you’re thinking of selling your home,
you definitely want yours to be one of the properties that grab the attention
of passers-by. It’s that first impression that can make or break the buyer’s
interest and ultimately affect the price they’re willing to offer for your
home.
So what is it about these stand-out properties that set them
apart from their neighbors?
COLOR
Color is usually the biggest eye-grabber. It could be the
color of the structure itself, but you want to be sure that the color is
noticeable for all the right reasons! Any exterior color that stands out in the
extreme from neighboring properties is likely to be a poor choice.
Painting
your trim chartreuse when most of your neighbors’ homes are painted in muted
desert tones is something to avoid! That’s not to say you have to match the
neighborhood (unless, of course, HOA codes dictate specific color choices), but
you should aim for exterior colors that are both contemporary and harmonious
with neighboring properties. Take pictures of neighboring homes with you to the
paint store to help with decision making, or ask your professional painter or paint supplier for
guidance.
LANDSCAPE
Landscape is the second biggest visual element that gets
noticed from the street, with color, arrangement, and even the current state of
maintenance that affect overall impressions. Are the plants colorful with
interesting visual texture? Are they laid out in an organized pattern or flow
based on height, form or color? Are they well fertilized and watered? Are they
well groomed? Does the front yard look like every other home on the block, or
do unique and appealing elements like an arbor, fountain, sculpture, special
structural materials or colorful and creative plant arrangements catch your eye
and draw you in?
Tend to any overgrown trees and shrubs. Add color that
complements the exterior paint in the form of flowers or plants with colorful
foliage. Vary the texture of any plants you decide to add to create more visual
interest. If you’re unsure about your choices, consult with your local plant nursery and bring photos of your property to give them an idea of what your
landscape already has.
DETAILS
Finer details on the front of your property really become
critical when you’re ready to show the house to prospective buyers. As a buyer
approaches the front door, what they see along the way will reinforce the
initial impression they felt from the curb. That’s where peeling paint, weathered
door hardware, dirty windows and walkways, a cluttered porch area, sagging rain
gutters, loose shingles or house numbers, worn out mailboxes, spent blossoms
and dead leaves or debris will make the whole house feel very unappealing.
LIGHT
You also want to consider how your home looks after dark, since showings to prospective buyers don't necessarily stop when the sun goes down. Is the front porch well lit? Are there landscape lights to accentuate features like dramatic plant shapes, shadows, architecture or other focal points? Do you have lights on inside every room to create an inviting living environment?
Your real estate agent or even a professional home stager can
be an invaluable resource for helping you pinpoint the areas that need
attention prior to showing your property.
Feel free to call me for a complimentary consultation on your home’s
curb appeal. If you think you might be ready to sell your home, know that expert
home staging to maximize the appeal to buyers is also included in my services
for every client.
Nanette Shapiro
(714) 924-0781
nanette.shapiro4@gmail.com
The links in this article are not an endorsement of the featured programs and services but are meant only to serve as an example.
