Amp Up Curb Appeal

 Buyers are quick to judge a home by what they see on the outside. Are you ready for the scrutiny?     

A property’s curb appeal naturally makes a critical first impression. If everything within the front space is well-chosen and in perfect repair—from the mailbox and house numbers to the walkway and landscaping—buyers will think, ‘This house is obviously well-cared for.’  This message is imprinted on their brains, even if the rest of the house is actually not as well cared for. It’s very hard to change a first impression, and while most Sellers tend to the yard work, trim the trees, and put out a new welcome mat, they may miss other opportunities to help improve a home’s curb appeal. Here are some compelling ideas for sprucing up exteriors.

Front door

A front door can be a home’s focal point—but you don’t want that to be because of its peeling paint or dinged hardware. Replacing an entryway door with a new steel door (which costs about $1,200) actually offers among the biggest bang for the buck at resale (an average of 73 percent of the cost may be recouped, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2011–2012 Cost vs. Value Report, which analyzed 35 remodeling projects’ payback potential).
Sometimes a front door can be salvaged with a fresh coat of paint. Just don’t overdo it, and make sure that it complements the home. Make sure to update the handle and lock hardware, too. (Satin nickel and black or oil-rubbed bronze are more the trend these days.)

Windows

Wash them—inside and out—and remove the screens for added sparkle. Then, try dressing up the windows with flower boxes.  Also, consider a new color for shutters. The trend is a shift away from high-contrast green, red, or black to more monochromatic palettes that blend with the rest of the house, according to the Paint Quality Institute.

Garage

Depending on its orientation to the house, a garage can make a huge impact. Does the door need paint or repairs? Should it be replaced? While you might not be willing to spend on a stylish new cedar wood door, you can find more budget-friendly options in metal or fiberglass. A new steel garage door can cost about $1,500, but sellers, in average, recoup nearly 72 percent of that investment at resale, according to the Cost vs. Value Report. 

Driveway

Is the driveway covered with cracks and oil stains? If you can’t afford a complete resurfacing (which may cost about $2,000 for concrete driveways), look into patching up cracks using premixed concrete materials. Driveway cracks a quarter-inch or smaller may be able to be filled with asphalt or concrete that comes in caulk-like tubes. A patching compound for asphalt can be used for larger cracks. Some experts recommend kitty litter for removing oil stains, though hardware stores offer designated products, too.



After dark

Evening curb appeal also matters. Conceal a couple of portable outdoor lamps and aim them at the house or a beautiful tree for low-cost, high-value impact. Have outdoor lights on a timer so they’re always on for nighttime showings. Interior lights, too, work to create a warm glow from the curb. If the home isn’t wired outdoors, line a pathway to the door with solar lights. The technology has improved considerably over the past few years, and solar lights are much cheaper to install than hardwired lights.  Plus, you can always take the lights with you when you move.