Have you heard the famous Will Rogers quote, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression?” There is a lot of truth to these words, especially if you think about it from the perspective of a potential home buyer.
If you are in the process of selling your home, you’re probably focusing on preparing the house for people to explore. It’s important to declutter, clean up the nicks and damage on the walls, and remove some of your personal touches so the buyer can visualize their belongings. Many people focus on the inside of the house but often forget a critical element – the front yard.
Curb appeal is everything. If a buyer’s first impression of your home is dirty siding, overgrown landscaping, and a crumbling driveway, there is a chance they may not want to step inside. These days, people are looking for “move-in ready.” An impactful first impression can make or break a potential home sale.
To help you out, here are some simple yet effective ways to spruce up the curb appeal of your home.
Trim the shrubs and trees.
This may seem obvious, but clean-cut trees, shrubs, and other landscaping elements will make a huge difference in your front yard. The fresh look is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it provides home buyers a view of the house, not overgrown rose bushes.
Give it some color.
Depending on the time of year, you can take advantage of planting some colorful flowers for a bright, inviting effect on your home. Selling in the springtime? Grab some tulips and plant them in your flowerbed. Fall or winter? A few potted mums or winterberry plants can take your front yard to the next level.
Clean the gutters!
I get it. Cleaning gutters is a dirty, not-so-fun job. But if it’s been some time since you last took a peek inside your gutters, people will observe. If it is raining during a showing, potential buyers will definitely see the water running over the side of the gutters and landing on their heads.
Break out the power washer.
A freshly washed sidewalk can make all the difference as people approach the front door of your home – not to mention getting rid of dirt and mold on the side of the house. Take a day and wash the areas around your house. No power washer? No problem! Check out your local home improvement stores – they often have power washers available for rent.
As a real estate agent, I want to get you as many offers on your home as possible. If you are looking to sell your home, let’s chat! Call me at 717-253-3259 (cellphone) or visit my website at www.karentavenner.com.