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How to improve curb appeal to sell your Phoenix home - 6 steps to follow

By
Real Estate Agent with HomeSmart Real Estate AZ Broker BR030809000

How to improve curb appeal to get your Phoenix home sold - 6 steps to follow

 

Curb appeal is very important when selling your Phoenix home.  First impressions make a big difference in how potential buyers will view your home. Curb appeal can make potential buyers say -  I can't wait to see the inside!  Or it might be on the other side - It's just ok I don't really want to see it.There have been times when myself and my buyers drive up to a home fully intending to view it, but the buyers can't stand how the home 'really' looks from the curb. They don't even want to go in.  So we move on to the next home on the tour.

 

What first impression do you want your house to give potential buyers?

 

Selling your Phoenix home

 

By following these six steps you'll be on your way to making every
potential buyer say "I can't wait to see the inside of this home!

 

 Step 1: Trim back bushes and trees. By trimming your bushes and trees to a smaller, more compact size, it will not only make your house look cleaner, it will make it look bigger! Make sure that trees are not covering the front of the home or any walkways or doorways. Open up the full view of your home.

 

Step 2: Add some life. The best way to bring some life to your home and make it stand out is by adding some color. Put some flowers in the yard, or simply set some flower pots around your front door, walkway or patio. Color can make a home feel much more appealing and interesting.

 

Step 3: Make it sparkle. Make sure your windows are washed. Washed windows are definitely under appreciated. Imagine the afternoon sun hitting your streak and spot-free windows. That glare is the sparkle every home on the market needs. Also be sure that the walkway, patio or porch is clean clean clean!

 

Step 4: Focus on your front door. The front door is one of the most important features to the outside of a home. Why? It's the first impression people have before entering the inside. Make sure the door is clean and shining. And, if you have money to spend on upgrades, replacing or repainting a door that is not in good shape is a great way to open up the entryway.

 

Step 5: Lay down a mat. A welcome mat is a simple way to bring some personality to your doorstep. This is also useful if you can't afford to replace your front door. A friendly mat that says "Welcome home" is a nice way to give someone that comforting feeling of a home, even if it's not theirs yet.

 

Step 6: Paint or replace your garage door. In many homes, the garage door is the biggest feature in the front of your house. Therefore, you want it to look good! A fresh coat of paint or new garage door makes your home more appealing to potential home buyers. No one wants the biggest feature in their front yard to look old and dirty. If you can't afford paint or replacements, give it a good wash and shine.

 

These are six simple, inexpensive ways to give your home better curb appeal and hook potential home buyers. Once achieved, you can then reel them inside and hopefully get them to really fall in love with your home - make a good offer and call it their own!

 

*******************************************************  

 

Real Estate and Working with my Clients is my Passion!
 
 

wwww.phoenixpropertyshoppe.com

 
I take my clients trust in me very seriously. I'm known for 'telling' it like it is, not what folks might want to hear or  think it should look like. Now that may sound kind of tough, but think about it, in the long run if you want to buy or sell a home you need to know the real facts in order to make a wise choice.


If you want the truth and the whole truth, I am the 
Phoenix Real Estate Broker for You.


When you are ready to buy or sell a Phoenix Area Home, I will be your advocate, guide, and fierce negotiator. I will work hard to make your buying or selling a home as smooth and stress-free as I possibly can - even if it's a short sale.  Guaranteed.

 


Call me and we'll create a plan of action to buy a home or sell your home! 

 

Sincerely,

 

Anna 'Banana' Kruchten

Broker/Owner

602-380-4886 

 

                                   

 

 

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Comments(60)

Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Anna, curb appeal is the most important part of any sale - and love your simple six tips.

Jun 02, 2012 02:33 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Gretchen - sellers need to know it's what truly happens.

Marti - Laura Cerrano has lots of great ideas how  to keep our front door areas welcoming!

Chritine - exactly.

Lynn - it will work anywhere!

Tom - there you go. If they don't go inside the seller hasn't done their job.

Morgan - it works on small condos or huge homes.  Details are important.

Joanna - Insprired and Inviting - I like that!

Prayful - it is! First step to selling the home.

Jun 03, 2012 12:52 AM
Brian Park
Park Realty Investments - Murray, UT

Always a good reminder. One of my early clients was a retired Hollywood set person, and she always told me to think Hollywood set, the street front presentation being so vital, they may be nothing but a false front but that false front does the job.

I was once was asked to speak at a annual homeowners meeting in one large development and I did. An agent that lived in the development thought he would have a little fun with me as asked how come my office and others couldn't get as high of sales prices as the surrounding communities.

My answer upset them all, it was your development is full of pigs, slobs, and lazy no good loafers who think if they let their lawns grow enough they can harvest it as a cash crop, plus many of you think weeds are landscaping and most of the rest haven't heard of paint yet. Maybe at your next meeting you should ask a paint store owner to speak. An agent drives into this place with a buyer it only takes a little while for the buyer to think maybe there is something a little more desirable down the road so they keep looking, but yet your houses are the same size, age, and school district as those areas the buyers choose to buy in. I wonder how many of you are descendents of Ma And Pa Kettle? (that reference shows my age) If you want to raise sales prices here, then get out and make at least the front of your homes nicer and more attractive, just the fronts, all of you, and that will help immensely, and shame on (the agent with the question) for not letting his neighbors know of the problem. And raise your HOA dues a dollar or two and get your common area weed farms and other areas looking nicer.

Well I know i didn't make many points with that one, but I assigned a new agent to the area as her farm and started a campaign to make that development more attractive then a neighboring one, a sort of contest, and pretty soon we were good guys, well she was, and my new agent started getting listings that could sell, some at a higher price, but others at least sold, and she moved into her new "farm" to really work it.

Point is to get prospects to step on the brake instead of the gas pedal.

Jun 03, 2012 03:32 AM
Caroline Fitzgerald - BestPreppedListings.com
Real Estate Client Prep - Richmond, VA

Great post and great tips, Anna. Sellers need to know that buyers are going to drive by first and that means they've got something like 6-15 seconds to grab the buyer's attention. We also point out that buyer's are likely to drive by at night too, so the seller really needs to make sure the house the outdoor lights work (and that their are some there in the first place!) We also suggest they keep the curtains open and the the house well-lit inside at night so the house looks brigth and cheery. A dark house at night just looks creepy!

Jun 03, 2012 05:11 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Anna,

Just excellent advice..it stands to reason this same advice would apply to any price range!These simple tips are like a black simple dress..always appropriate :).

Jun 03, 2012 11:08 PM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Anna, All Great Advice for Sellers who have their homes on the market. It all starts with the outside appearance. Sellers do want to make that great first impression with an excellent curb appeal. The summer time is great for Adding more Life to the exterior.

Jun 17, 2012 06:59 AM
Paige Floyd Hart
Bright Light Land Title Company, LLC - Niceville, FL
Great tips! Thank you!
Jan 12, 2013 10:39 PM
Jane & Jeff Daley, PhD
Luxury Valley Homes Scottsdale - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale Real Estate Arizona

Good tips Anna. One thing missing that could have made this article even better was both a before and after picture. Thanks for sharing.

Jan 12, 2013 10:39 PM
Dana Basiliere
Rossi & Riina Real Estate - Williston, VT
Making deals "Happen"

Anna,

This advice will never get old. It worked a 100 years ago and it will work in another 100. People think if it is unkempt outside it must be the same inside (and they are usually right)

Jan 12, 2013 11:01 PM
Hella Mitschke Rothwell
(831) 626-4000 - Honolulu, HI
Hawaii & California Real Estate Broker
And that includes the garage area for sure. That's where the men want to see curb appeal. No dents in the door or oil on the driveway.
Jan 12, 2013 11:44 PM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Anna, I like your simple and straight forward list!  These are great ideas for Sellers. With the exception of replacing doors everything is easily accomplished and affordable!

Jan 12, 2013 11:58 PM
Michael J. O'Connor
Diamond Ridge Realty - Corona, CA
Eastvale - 951-847-4883

One of my pet peeves is landscaping that intrudes into the walkway to the home.  I wish the iPhone had a machete app, I would use it all the time!

Jan 13, 2013 01:09 AM
Gary McNinch
Better Properties Real Estate - Renton, WA
Broker, Renton WA Real Estate

HI Anna,

 

We use this on every property.  Interesting how our REO listings get high marks for showings with just some spiffing up in the front.

 

NOTICE TO RAINERS ---  When Anna Banana sends you a referral, it is great.  Thanks Anna for the referral to Seattle, she loves her new home.  Hope you loved the check.  Thanks from Gary and Annie   Gary McNinch Team

Jan 13, 2013 01:42 AM
Ric Mills
Keller Williams Southern Az - Tucson, AZ
Integrity, Honesty, and Vast Real Estate Knowledge

Anna, these are great tips and should be read by every seller.  They want their home to be the prettiest "person" at the party.  You want the most then invest a little time and money or settle for less.

Jan 13, 2013 02:09 AM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

I agree with Morgan, #39 and Ric, #57, sadly, most sellers rarely follow the advice of their RE agents to get the maximum value from the sale of their home. 

Jan 13, 2013 02:53 AM
Jana Holmstrup
Jana Holmstrup - CCO - Kings Mortgage Services, Inc. - Visalia, CA

Heck!  These are fabulous for myself!  And I'm not even selling, lol.  I never go in the front door... sure it's neglected :(

 

Jan 13, 2013 07:47 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Great tips to help your Phoenix AZ homeowners -- and the rest of us, too.

Jan 13, 2013 09:36 AM
Beth Lester
Beth Lester Designs - Torrance, CA
Home Staging & Interior Decorating

Great tips, Anna.

White flowers show really well in photographs as well, and do well to draw buyers right up to the front door!

Jan 13, 2013 02:20 PM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Anna, we tell sellers that some buyers won't even stop to look if there is not curb appeal.

Jan 13, 2013 07:14 PM
Rob Renk
Center Street Lending - McKinney, TX
AE | Fast Fix/Flip Loans for Residential Investors

Get tips to help your clients home get a quick facelift.  First impressions mean alot.  It sets the tone for the whole visit.

Jan 15, 2013 04:00 AM