A first impression is a lasting impression, and you only have one chance to get it right, so you’ll want to make sure that the property you’re selling leaves an inviting impression on potential buyers. Curb appeal entails the exterior of the property you’re selling as well as the attractiveness of the surrounding area, and it has been proven that it can have a significant impact on how quickly and profitably you sell your property.
So, just like you wouldn’t want to show up on a first date dressed in rags, you don’t want your house to look haunted when the real estate agent is first showing it to the potential buyers. Let’s see what you can do to increase your property’s curb appeal.
Make the exterior squeaky clean
It goes without saying that cleanliness should be a top priority when selling property, but sometimes people underestimate the challenge and fall short in their attempt to make the place clean. If you truly want a quick sale, spotless is what it’s going to take.
Clean the whole exterior of the house (after you’ve cleaned the interior), but also pay attention to the walkways, porches and outside furniture. The same goes for the garage. Get rid of any stains on the windows and polish them to a shining finish.
Invest in repairs and pay attention to detail
If you’re looking for ways to advertise your property as an attractive one, the best way to do it is to make it look the part. Don’t just focus on the specifics, make the whole property look its best, from the fence and the front porch to the back yard, you’ll want everything to look like someone is living in that home, and enjoying every day of it. You’ll also want to make repairs to anything that’s damaged, either by neglect or old age.
Pay attention to the minute details, like the faded house number, a bell that’s not working, the Leaning Tower of Mailbox and the peeled-off paint on your metal fence. Make your front door look like it doesn’t even need the “welcome” mat. Although many of these repairs and alterations are something you can manage on your own, knowing when to call in the experts is a virtue.
For example, if the railing or the balustrade on your front porch is damaged, fixing it yourself (or deciding to forego repairs) will create a safety hazard, both for you and the potential buyers. To avoid any inconvenience or injury, you’ll want to contact professionals such as Bright Balustrading for assistance.
Keep your garden well-kept and tidy
Whether you’ve got just a small lawn or a hedge and a garden, everything needs to be trimmed and well-kept. Get rid of any weeds and keep your irrigation system running and avoid using pesticides before the visits, as they can leave yellowish spots on your plants.
If you’ve got the time and are willing to put in the effort, you can have a wonderful yard. Flowers can be a nice touch, but if you’d like to avoid the extra work, mowing the lawn is the bare minimum.
Add a fresh coat of paint
There’s only so much you can do with just cleaning the property, and there are parts of the home that will need to be repainted or retouched. A good idea would be to add a new layer of paint anywhere the old layer has peeled off.
Also, painting the front doors, as well as the window sills and casing, will make them look new and well-kept, and applying some polish to anything made of wood can pay off. If you have the means, repainting the whole house can be a worthwhile investment.
Improve the lighting
A faulty lightbulb can scare away your customers as nowadays, real estate agents often take their clients to visit properties at night, so double-check all lighting on the property. That includes both indoor and outdoor sources of light. Making your house a shining example of what a property should look like is a sure way to make any potential buyer feel comfortable.
Wrapping up
While investing in your property right before selling it might seem like a waste of money, remind yourself that quality offers value, and value is what sells. With very affordable investments, you can significantly raise the value of your property and shorten the timeframe in which it is sold.
By Mike Johnston
