3 Easy Ways to Add Curb Appeal as Winter Ends
Homes with a lot of curb appeal often sell faster and command a higher price. If you’re thinking of selling your home in that no man’s land between winter and spring, you may be scratching your head as to how to make an impact on the curb appeal of your home. Even if Spring has technically arrived, it may not have arrived enough to produce green lawns, neatly manicured garden beds and planters filled with life and colour at the front of your home.
Large-scale exterior projects like hardscaping and landscaping are sure to add value to your home, but there are many ways to spruce up your exterior with a just a little elbow grease and time, even in this season that fluctuates between small snow banks and patches of mud.
Ask yourself these three questions to help kick-start some simple curb appeal projects today, and help turn interested buyers into eager bidders.
1. Does your yard show off its potential?
There are little things you can do to show that your yard has potential to be stunning in the full bloom of summer. If you want to make it easy for home buyers to envision what your house will look like in July, you can start by clearing your driveway, walkway and stairs of snow, ice, leaves and debris. This not only will keep the front of your home looking neat, it is also safer for anyone coming to view your home. If you haven’t already done so, clean out the gutters that may have accumulated leaves in the fall. Trade the giant inflatable snowmen on your front lawn for an elegant, subtle wreath on the front door and some cold-weather plants such as Japanese yew or boxwood hedge topiaries to liven up your walk-way.
2. Does my house have character?
Adding a touch of personality to the exterior of your home will not only help it stand out but may make it more memorable to buyers on the hunt. For instant character, repaint your front door and garage in a complementary colour to your brick that will also stand out. You want to keep the palette elegant for resale, but that doesn’t always mean you’re stuck with cream or grey – a bold red, navy, charcoal or black door will complement many exterior brick colours.
These days house numbers aren’t just a way to identify your home, they’re a piece of décor that can inject loads of character. A simple trip to the hardware store will reveal dozens of options including hanging signs, ceramic tiles, antique finishes, plaques or even simple decals that you can add to your mailbox.
3. Is my home welcoming to visitors?
Is Is your home well-lit? When someone drives by does it look warm and homey? Adding a seating area to your front stoop invites people to not only drop by, but to stay a while. Add a few cushions and an exterior throw blanket for some texture and colour to your outdoor space.
When your home is for sale, a potential buyer may drive by anytime, so ensuring your property is well-lit is a curb appeal must. Install a few solar lights along the edge of your gardens, driveway or lawn for added illumination, and if your mounted lights need an upgrade, your local hardware store is sure to have a variety of modern designs and price points to choose from.
Curb appeal is the first step to helping a potential buyer envision themselves in your home. For more quick and easy ideas, visit our Instagram for more inspiration.