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Easy Ways to Improve Your Curb Appeal

By Suzanne Otto

Home Stager with Six Twenty Designs

July 21, 2014 10:47 PM

You know what they say, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. When you're selling your Montgomery County PA home, curb appeal counts. It's the first thing a buyer sees when they find your home on the internet. And as Montgomery County PA home stager, I always tell my clients how important it is. Here are my tips on easy ways to improve your curb appeal when selling or just for sprucing up your existing home.

Paint Your Front Door- People are going to look at your front door, not just walk through it. Invite them to walk inside with a clean, freshly painted door. It's also a great way to add some personality through color. Make your door stand out against the others on the block by painting it a bold color.

Paint Your Shutters- If you have shutters, they should also be cleaned and freshly painted if they're showing signs of wear & tear. Nothing says shabby like chipping or faded paint.

Update Your Exterior Fixtures- Updating your exterior fixtures like lights, house numbers and mailbox can give your space a whole new look. Older dated fixtures should be replaced for more up to date styles.

Potted plants- Adding potted plants that frame your front door add color and style to your exterior. For color throughout summer, choose annuals like petunias or zinnias.

Window Boxes- Window boxes are a great way to add some character to your homes exterior. You can keep it simple or go for something that reflects your homes characteristics. Either way, just make sure you maintain the flowers in the box. No one wants to see dead flowers or weeds growing.

Power Washing- One of the easiest ways to improve your curb appeal is to power wash the exterior of your home. After time, moss and dirt build up, making your home appear neglected. A clean exterior will give off the impression that your home is well maintained and cared for. Something every buyer wants and every neighbor wants to see.

There are many easy ways to improve your curb appeal. Just doing a few of these changes can have a big impact on the appearance of your home.

Contact Six Twenty Designs to book your consultation for selling or revamping your existing living space.

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Tammie White, Broker

Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN

Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I was recently at a home that was in desperate need of power washing. You'd think I asked the seller to have open heart surgery.

Jul 23, 2014 03:22 AM

Gary DiGrazia, Sr.

EXP Realty - Castro Valley, CA

Probate Real Estate Expert Training

Great info! Curb appeal is a important item. In my probate business it can really make a huge difference. Thanks for the post ! Looking forward to more like it :)

Jul 23, 2014 03:30 AM

Frank Rubi

Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA

FrankRubiRealEstate.com

Suzanne great tips. I once told a seller buyers could not see the property due to over grown greens in the front yard. He cut them back and within a week the home was was under contract.

Jul 23, 2014 04:02 AM

Vanessa Saunders

Global Property Systems Real Estate - White Plains, NY

Real Estate | Done Differently

I like the fact that these tips will fit any budget...no more excuses for sellers to spruce up their listing...

Jul 23, 2014 04:39 AM

Myrl Jeffcoat

Sacramento, CA

Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Those are great tips for improving curb appeal. They certainly wouldn't cost much, but would likely get a lot of bang for the buck in marketing a home.

Jul 23, 2014 04:55 AM

Bruce Kunz

C21 Solid Gold Realty, Brick, NJ, 732-920-2100 - Howell, NJ

REALTOR®, Brick & Howell NJ Homes for Sale

Great ideas, Suzanne! For a minimal cost, these ideas should give a huge return but are often overlooked. Thanks for sharing.

Jul 23, 2014 05:13 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Great suggestions, Suzanne, and powerful solutions for not a lot of time or money invested. As I always tell sellers "you don't have a second chance to make a good first impression" and curb appeal is that first impression.

Jul 23, 2014 07:56 AM

Jeff Jensen

The Federal Savings Bank/Lending in 50 states - Greenwich, CT

Keeping it simple, clean and green goes a long way to curb appeal.

Jul 23, 2014 08:20 AM

Nick T Pappas

Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL

Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Suzanne, these really are great tips and require little effort on the part of the seller for what could be a much greater return.

Jul 23, 2014 08:43 AM

Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties

Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN

The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Suzanne, Tammie's comment about power washing made me laugh. It alone can make a huge difference in the appearance.

Jul 23, 2014 10:13 AM

Addie Scharff

Beautiful Homes Realty - Los Banos, CA

HomeStaging REALTOR - Beautiful Homes Realty

Great post/advise! Every time I see homes with beutiful curb appeal I'm always inspired to run home and improve on mine!! :)

Jul 23, 2014 11:57 AM

Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

So true, so true. I just spent less than $50 and updated a little corner section in the front yard that I've been wanting to do ... for years. An old juniper bush was there and when it got ripped up, nice little plantings went in.

Jul 23, 2014 02:38 PM

Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...

Clarksville, TN

Debbie Gartner

The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY

The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Great ideas here, Suzanne. You're so right that your first impression starts before you enter the house.

Jul 23, 2014 07:19 PM

Suzanne Otto

Six Twenty Designs - Lansdale, PA

Your Montgomery County PA home stager

Thanks for the share Mercy!

Doesn’t hurt to switch things up a bit Evelyn J

So true Nick & Trudy. You can’t live the way you have been when you’re selling.

Thanks Margaret!

Thank you Karen!

Lol, Tammie! Some sellers will just never get it.

Curb appeal sets the tone for the rest of the home Gary. Thanks for stopping by J

Sometimes it’s as simple as that Frank.

That’s the idea Vanessa!

It’s the little things that can make the biggest improvements Myrl.

Thanks for stopping by Bruce!

Exactly Nina! Once you’ve lost their interest, it’s hard to get them back.

It certainly does Jeff.

That’s one of the main components of home staging Nick J

Me too Debbie J

I know Addie! It’s inspiring.

Wonderful Carla! And I bet you feel so good now every time you look at that spot.

Thanks Debbie.

Jul 23, 2014 10:17 PM

Regina P. Brown

MBA Broker Consultants - Carlsbad, CA

M.B.A., Broker, Instructor

Very nice tips, especially on the doors. They do more than provide access. Front doors lend character to a home’s architectural style. They can offer stunning curb appeal that improves the property value.

Jul 24, 2014 02:38 PM

Anonymous

Mark Brandon

Thanks for the wonderful blog you got there! Very informative... I love reading it. I would love to do all the tips you've shared. (y) :)

Jul 24, 2014 04:15 PM

#33

Suzanne Otto

Six Twenty Designs - Lansdale, PA

Your Montgomery County PA home stager

Very true Regina!

Thank you Mark!

Jul 24, 2014 09:58 PM

Jeffrey Ditri

JAD Realty Group, LLC. - Manhattan, NY

New York City Residential Rental Specialist

Thank you Suzanne...these are all weekend mostly inexpensive, DIY projects, that will only add value to your home. Couldnt agree with you more! My parents paint their shutters and front door every other year...are they crazy!?

Jul 25, 2014 11:04 PM

Beth Atalay

Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL

Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Great tips Suzanne! Creating a curb appeal is probably one of the least expensive ways to create some interest and works each time.

Aug 12, 2014 12:16 AM

Karen Mathers - REALTOR®

Keller Williams Vero Beach - Vero Beach, FL

When it Matters, Choose Mathers! 772-532-3221

The simplest one day projects can make such a big diffrence! I adore potted plants that can be changed out to suit the season!

Aug 12, 2014 12:27 AM