When you’re putting your house up for sale, you want to get the best value for it. But if the exterior of your house looks old and worn out, chances are that the buyers won’t put up enough offers on the house. Even if they do, they will not offer you the expected value.
Why is an Impressive Exterior Important?
Even though the interiors of the house are important to a buyer, the exterior is much like a book cover, and yes, people do judge your home’s interior by what they see outside. The exterior makes the first impression on the buyer and can sway them to either purchase the house or pass on it. This is why before putting your house up for sale, it is important that you enhance its curb appeal.
However, many homeowners do not invest in improving the exteriors of the house because they believe it’s an unnecessary expense. So, they are willing to get a lower price for their house rather than invest in improving the look of the place.
Even though maintenance activities take time and require money, the value of the house multiplies. So, if an ordinary house would get 1 million, by investing just $3000 to make the exterior impressive, you can up that value to 1.25 million!
Ways to Boost Curb Appeal
If you don’t spend your money wisely, you might even incur an overall loss on the investment you’ve made in your house. So, here are some ways to help you get a better value for your property without burning a hole in your savings:
1. Update the Siding
The siding of your house makes a huge difference to the “vibe” that your house gives. If your house is old, siding installation experts can give it a modern look.
If you prefer a warm, homely look and feel, you can even get a wooden or a brick look through vinyl siding. And if you already have siding installed, ensure it is clean and dust-free before you invite potential buyers to visit.
2. Keep Your Garden Maintained
Your home’s garden, no matter how small, adds to the overall aesthetic. If your garden has withered plants, dry grass, and overgrown bushes, it will look messy and dirty. You must invest in boosting the look of your garden before you put it up for sale so buyers don’t undervalue your house.
You could make an effort to improve your garden yourself or hire someone to do it for you. If you want to save up money and cannot do it yourself, focus on keeping it neat and tidy. Trim the overgrown bushes, rake the dry leaves, and remove the weeds.
You can even get concrete tiling done if you don’t have the time to work on your garden every time a potential buyer visits.
3. Paint the Exterior
If you’re not considering a siding installation, you can even paint the exterior of your house to give it a fresh and clean look. On the other hand, if you are getting siding for your house, you should add a fresh coat of paint on the doors and windows to complete the look. You can consult professional painters before selecting a color.
4. Implement Symmetrical Designs
Although it is a simple effort, symmetry goes a long way. Your house will look well-maintained and neat if you implement symmetrical designs. For example, you could balance the planters in your garden in symmetrical patterns rather than placing them without considering their size and height. You can also add outdoor lighting on either side of your main door and plants on both sides.
The symmetry will appeal to the buyer’s subconscious, and the house will look impressive to them. However, it is important that you don’t add too many elements outside. Even if you place them symmetrically, they will make your house look cramped and small to the prospective buyer.
5. Make Small but Noticeable Changes
Small changes like the numbers of the house in gold and a freshly painted mailbox can make a lasting impression. Another idea is to add a planter on your windowsill to add greenery to your place if you don’t have a garden. You can also add lights to your garden or replace the main door with something more impressive. These small details can add to your house’s curb appeal.
6. Go for Power Washing
If you already have siding and a tiled patio, you might want to go for power washing to remove the dust build-up. You should also invest in power washing your roofing and the gutters since no buyer would want to buy a property that is not well-maintained.
Power washing can increase the value of your property because it makes your house look clean instead of battered and old. But if you want to save money, go for relatively new but professional power-washing service providers. If you know how to do it, you can even rent a power washing machine to do it yourself.
7. Add Patio Furniture that Complements The Exterior
Minimalistic patio furniture can also add to the much-needed curb appeal. Brown cane furniture can complement a grassy garden, while white patio furniture gives a clean, modern look. You can look for various guides to help you choose the right colors for your patio furniture.
You can choose inexpensive bamboo chairs or invest in ceramic stools.
8. Highlight the Pathways
If the pathway to your main door is welcoming, it will make a lasting impression on the buyers. You can add plants to the sides of the pathway or add small sun-powered lights. Make sure you only place well-kept plants. Plants losing their green appeal and turning yellow can ruin the look of the pathway rather than make it look appealing.
Also, since the pathway to your house gets a lot of foot traffic, it can quickly get muddy. You can opt for power washing to keep it looking clean, like you’ve gotten it newly installed.
Final Words
Making your house look presentable doesn’t require a lot of money (although we won’t claim it can be done without spending a significant amount). However, you’ll surely get a high return on investment if you work smartly. With these tips, you can boost the curb appeal of your house without investing a lot.
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