The Seller’s Guide to Boosting Curb Appeal
The National Association of Realtors has found that after viewing a house they like online, 63 percent of buyers will at least drive by to look at it. When they do, your curb appeal is going to be what stands out to them.
Is the exterior and landscaping something that will make them want to come inside and see what the house has to offer? Or, will the look of your curb appeal make them keep trying and move on to the next listing?
When appraisers are determining a value for your house, curb appeal plays a role, and poor landscaping can deduct 5% to 10% of the value.
If you want your curb appeal to entice potential buyers to want to know more about your house use these tips.
Make Your Grass Green
When a buyer pulls up in front of your house you want them to be greeted by lush green grass. If you have a lawn with bare or rough looking spots you will want to make some improvements.
The simplest DIY option is purchasing fertilizer from the nearest hardware store and treating the lawn yourself. You can also hire a landscaping company to regularly maintain your yard.
If your yard needs a lot of work, you might opt for bringing in new sod. You can purchase the sod and do the labor yourself, or hire out the whole thing.
Once your lawn is looking lush and green make sure you are keeping it cut and trimmed.
Use Plants and Flowers to Add Color
When you add colorful plants and flowers to your landscaping you give your curb appeal a boost that helps attract the eye of potential buyers. Flowers that are in season and local to your area are a good way to keep your budget down while improving your curb appeal.
Annuals tend to be cheaper and can be a good fit if you are trying to give your yard a quick boost when listing it on the market.
Add Lights
Exterior landscaping lights will not only boost your curb appeal, they will help bring up the value of your house. Appraisers can add up to 15% on the value of your home based off your exterior lighting. They are also a great way to showcase your home in the evening and night, when you might have potential buyers driving by to take a look.
Adding lights to your landscaping can cost you a few hundred dollars for DIY options or several thousand if you are hiring a company to complete the work for you. Make sure the lights are being directed at objects and areas that you would want to showcase, such as mature trees and flowering plants.
There are many areas to focus on when preparing your house to sell, and curb appeal is one that you do not want to forget. Boosting your curb appeal will help entice potential buyers as well as increase the market value of your home. Make sure to complete all of the work prior to having the listing photographs taken.