DIY Curb Appeal

When you buy or sell a home, you’re probably conscious of curb appeal, particularly if you’ve been watching the show of the same name on HGTV. You already know that an attractive exterior sets the stage for first impressions and impacts the price of a home and how quickly it sells. It looks easy on television: they have time, money, and professionals at hand. If your home hasn’t been selected to appear on the show, how do you know what to improve and how much to spend?

Where to Start
Realtors suggest making the most improvement you can afford to get the greatest return on your investment and get your home sold. But what exactly does that mean for you? Mow the lawn? Paint? Install a new landscape? When time and funds are limited, what are the real priorities?

Here’s an easy way to organize your project: start at Level 1 and keep going until you’re out of time, out of money, or out of heat compresses for your back. When you’re tempted to throw in your trowel, remember the payoff: higher home price, faster sale.

Level I tasks are the basics for any home on the market. If you are starting with an already pristine property, this will be an afternoon’s work for you. For exteriors that need a little more care, working through Level 2 or 3 will have you ready for buyers in less than a month. And if you’re making major improvements or flipping an investment property, working through Level 4 will have you ready for open houses in a few weeks.

1. Order is Appealing: $0 and a Weekend

Create a tidy, no make that immaculate, exterior
Make minor repairs
Touch up paint
Clean and repair gutters
Check light bulbs and replace with soft lights where appropriate
Wash windows to sparkling
Shine exterior metalwork
Hide trash cans and recycling bins
Put cars in the garage
Mow lawn and pull weeds

2. Color is Appealing: $250 and a Weekend

Pressure wash house, roof, walkways, sidewalk and driveway
Reseed and feed turf with a high nitrogen, non-burning fertilizer
Fill beds and borders with blooming plants and feed with bloom formula
Add container plantings and hanging baskets
Mulch beds and borders for a uniform look and weed prevention
Trim shrubs and trees

3. Accents are Appealing: $500 – $2,000 and Two Weekends

Paint and spiff up or replace front door and window trim
Add tasteful, high-impact accessories like a new mailbox, house numbers, or solar lights
Repaint or tile porch or entry way
Upgrade unsightly gates and fences
Cut out blotchy or dead turf and patch with sod
Install an irrigation system

4. Details are Appealing: $2,500+ and a Month

Upgrade windows, door, and exterior fixtures
Upgrade hardscape with new walkways, driveway, fence lines, or tile work
Stucco or texturize concrete block walls
Have a landscaper or garden designer evaluate your landscape and make improvements
Plant groupings of semi-mature trees
Add patio furniture and create an outdoor room
Hire a stylist for customized ideas and guidance

Keep in mind that the impression you create will appeal to certain types of buyers and not to others. Most everyone will respond favorably to a well-maintained, tidy property. As for those other decisions, like paint color and border plantings, remember your prospective buyer. You’ll want to make slightly different choices for different buyer pools: think retired Boomers versus newly-affluent urbanites. They’re going to like dramatically differently things, and while you can’t please everyone, you can keep them in mind while you’re making improvements.

Cozy and Welcoming is Appealing
All this effort is about presenting your home in its best light and helping prospective buyers picture themselves living there.

Here are some techniques to help your home look it’s coziest and most welcoming from the curb: Leave windows partially open
Leave the front door ajar when possible
Use soft lights and hose swept sidewalks to create an inviting appearance in the evening
Be seen in your own yard: cut flowers, peer at the sky, whatever – get caught enjoying your own home and landscape

Last, remember that prospective buyers will often drive by before and after touring your home. Buyers who are unfamiliar with your neighborhood will likely come by at various times of day and night to get a feel for your block and the people in it. Also, if you can believe it, not everyone finds their next house on the internet. Some people still find them the old fashioned way, driving by.

It’s difficult, but it pays to have your home in show condition constantly while it’s on the market. The first time you catch a prospect peeking in your drapes, you’ll know why that goes for the inside as well. You’ll probably think it was worth it when your home sells quickly.