Real Estate Insights

Planning on selling your home? Want to expand your buying pool, increase the sale amount and sell your home faster? Make sure you have “curb appeal”! 

Curb appeal refers to the visual attractiveness of a dwelling and its property, and there are plenty of low-budget, simple things you can do to make yours look inviting. 

Why put money and time into something you plan to sell? Most listings hit the market between April and June — which means you’ll be competing with the maximum number of properties. A barren yard and bleak or nondescript entrance make your home passable and forgettable. 

The first impression also sets the tone and expectations for the rest of the home tour; a bad one can lead a prospective buyer to wonder what other basic maintenance has been neglected inside and inspect the house with a more critical eye.

Anything you can do to lure buyers through your (hopefully freshly painted) front door is worth the effort; after all, the more people who stop, the more likely you’ll get an offer — or several, which could drive up the final sale price. 

Start with the basics: power wash the exterior; manicure the hedges; update door hardware and house numbers; hide the eyesores, such as garbage cans, recycle bins and dry-rotted garden hoses. Tend the footpaths and groom the landscape. Paint the front door. (If you’re painting, it’s best to stick with whites, grays or other neutrals to appeal to the most buyers.)

You want to create a welcoming environment that helps a buyer envision themselves enjoying their new abode. Flowers are always a nice way to brighten a front yard; you might also consider outdoor seating. Add a few bird houses, large rocks or other decorative elements that complement your home’s style. And don’t forget the lighting! 

Google, Pinterest and YouTube all are great sources for ideas and inspiration. You also can check out the HGTV (hgtv.com) and Home Depot (homedepot.com) websites for videos and webcast workshops on curb appeal projects, lawn care and creating garden beds. 

Investing in curb appeal makes a real financial difference. While impossible to truly quantify, it is estimated to increase home value and sale price by anywhere from 3 percent to 15 percent. 

To learn more about creating curb appeal contact Kim Foemmel at Foemmel Fine Homes by phone (508) 808-1149 or email [email protected]. View her website at FoemmelFineHomes.com.

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