Have you been thinking about selling your home, or have the record sale prices been tempting you toward making a move? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then before you list your home on the real estate market, take note of these curb appeal ideas that will immediately boost potential buyers’ first impression of your home.
While most people jump to readying the interior and pursue home staging, you’ve got to get people in the door first!
First impressions in any situation are important. Think about your first date, an interview for a job, giving a presentation, or any similar situation where people don’t already know your great personality. The first thing others notice is how you look; this is the same with your home.
The first impression of your home is given by the exterior of your house and front yard, which is why it’s time to give curb appeal all the attention it deserves.
10 Low-Cost Ideas to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal
A common misconception about increasing curb appeal is that it’s expensive, but compared to doing work on the interior of the house, it is very minimal. The primary costs of increasing curb appeal are accumulated through purchasing plants, paint, lighting, and a few accessories, which all can be purchased on a tiny budget.
Curb appeal ideas don’t have to be extravagant or expensive; often, the little details make the biggest impact. Therefore, creative planning ideas and a little labor of love for your home’s exterior and front yard will boost curb appeal and attract more sophisticated buyers without breaking the bank.
Add Flower Beds, Garden Beds, Or Window Boxes
Flower or garden beds add character to any yard. Pops of color attract the eyes’ attention and give the space an inviting appeal. Plant flowers that bloom throughout the year to keep your yard looking attractive.
If you already have flower beds, are there any weeds or overgrown plants? If there are, get to work by pulling weeds, trimming up, or even removing any dead or overbearing plants. Once it is cleared out and after you add new plants, don’t forget a fresh layer of mulch to help prevent weeds from growing back, help retain moisture in your soil for healthy plants, and add another pop of color. There are multiple different colors of mulch, so choose one that will draw buyers’ eyes to your wonderful flowerbed.
Do you feel your flowerbed is still lacking something? Try adding a brick or stone retainer wall around your flower beds to add another layer of texture.
Another idea to improve curb appeal is to add window boxes to your home. These painted boxes are an easy way to add color to the home’s exterior. These don’t have to be filled with flowers if the boxes already boast an accent color. Instead, try planting succulents or ivy to add to the attractiveness of your home.
Plant Trees And Shrubs
Trees and shrubs can add to your home’s curb appeal as long as they are trimmed and properly pruned. If there are any that are touching your home, then make sure to cut them back at least a foot from your home. This will help prevent damage from them hitting the home during a strong wind and will also help prevent insects from coming into the home.
If you don’t have any, then consider adding a grouping of small trees and decorative shrubs to create a focal point for your front yard. The eye is naturally drawn to groupings versus single plants or flowers.
Another curb appeal idea is to add brick or stone retainer walls to your trees which will tie in perfectly with your flower beds.
Explore adding curb appeal by lining your walkway or driveway with ornamental grasses to create an inviting path leading toward your home.
Use Your Power Washer
A clean driveway, porch, and walkways add instant curb appeal to any home. Power wash your driveway to remove any dirt, oil, and grime that has built up over time. You want your steps into your home to be clean and crisp, not dragging in the outside elements.
While you have the powerwasher out, go ahead and power wash the exterior of your home to remove any dirt, moss, or any other foreign substances that have accumulated. Simply cleaning away the dirt from the outside walls will make your house look more appealing. (This is also an important step if you plan to start painting the exterior.)
If you don’t own a powerwasher, then you can easily rent one from any number of hardware stores for a nominal fee.
Add A Fresh Coat Of Paint to the Front Door
While this curb appeal idea will cost a little bit more money, new paint on your house is a big way to add curb appeal. Pay special attention to meters attached to your house, and paint them to help them be less noticeable. (Just be sure to leave the glass intact.)
While painting, make sure to repaint or add some wood exterior shutters in a contrasting trim color to draw attention to attractive windows and the light they bring into the house.
Paint your front door to give the whole house a fresh look, and if you have a wooden front porch, try painting it the same color as your trim to help tie it all together.
Add Outdoor Furniture And Art To Your Front Porch
Nothing says “welcome home” like cozy, comfortable outdoor furniture that’s waiting to be used. Create an inviting outdoor living space on your front porch with seating, a small table, a bird feeder, and strategically placed potted plants. Just make sure you don’t overcrowd the space or make it difficult to maneuver. You want prospective buyers to picture themselves sitting on this front porch chatting with their friends.
If your front porch is small, consider making a seating area in your yard under a tree for a cozy place to pass the time.
Some other curb appeal ideas are to attach outdoor artwork or a welcome sign near your front door. By adding this bit of creativity, you’re ready to greet guests and add a creative flare to your home.
Need some creative outdoor art help? Funky Junk Interiors has great curb appeal ideas. Try a Google search for shabby glam ideas to save money on projects to liven up your front porch.
Dramatic Lighting In Your Front Yard
Solar-powered lights are a simple way to add to your home’s curb appeal. Install solar-powered spotlights to highlight trees and areas of interest, like your newly created outdoor artwork. Line your walkways and any steps with solar lights leading up to the front door to have a lighted pathway to be able to enter your home at night safely.
Not only does adding solar lights level up your front yard and home’s style, but it’s also a selling point for real estate listings for energy efficiency.
Remember, some buyers may take a look at your home in the evening or even drive by to look after dark. If your home doesn’t have enough lighting, then it will be difficult to see and potentially give people the creeps, but with it having great lighting it will add a dramatic effect that will boost its nighttime curb appeal immediately.
Update Your Door Hardware And House Numbers
An easy way to improve curb appeal is by upgrading the door hardware on the home’s exterior. Worn or cheap hardware detracts from the home, especially if the front door has been repainted.
As hardware is generally the focal point of a door, replacing door knockers and door handles with coordinating ones is a simple way to dress it up.
New house numbers are an affordable way to boost curb appeal. House numbers are looked at repeatedly throughout the day, and potential buyers will be looking for them when they come to look at your home. Installing beautiful, easy-to-read numbers can put the prospective buyer in a better frame of mind if they can find the address easily.
Another curb appeal idea is one that goes on the curb. Have a painted curb address with reflective paint installed in front of your driveway or walkway. These are a great way to help others, including emergency vehicles find your home at night.
Replace Your Garage Door
While upgrading your garage door will cost some money, this one can have a good return on investment. Adding garage doors with windows can add a high-end look to the entire home. There are also insulated garage doors that can help maintain the desired temperature in your garage. This is very enticing for someone who likes to do work in the garage, especially on those hot or cold days.
For some homes, the garage is often the main entry; therefore, a beautiful garage door can create a welcoming home for its owners.
Add A Fence
A small fence around your front yard adds classic curb appeal. A picket fence creates an instant sense of home and defines the property’s border.
Another way to enhance curb appeal is by using fencing to hide unattractive air conditioning units and garbage cans with fencing in your front yard.
Give Your Windows A Thorough Cleaning
New paint, planters, lighting, and hardware are all great curb appeal ideas, but they won’t be very effective if the windows are dirty. Give all the windows a thorough cleaning, inside and out, to add that extra sparkle to your home’s exterior.
Pay special attention to the windows near the front door to make the greatest impact on your guests or potential new owners. While cleaning the windows, ensure no streak marks are left, and if there are any cobwebs in the area, clean them off. After all, these windows are seen up close.
Ready To Put These Curb Appeal Ideas Into Action?
Now that you have some great ideas, are you ready to give your home some extra curb appeal? You can probably picture adding many of these to your home and yard. Get started on the right foot by attending our Curb Appeal Masterclass.
Just remember that all those little details add up and can make a huge difference in the look of your property and potentially the sale price of your home. More often than not, budget-friendly projects make the biggest impact.
If you’re thinking about selling or doing any curb-appeal-boosing projects pre-listing, but need a little creative direction or some suggestions, reach out today!
Our team and I are always in your corner, ready to help you optimize the sale of your East Bay home.
