Real Estate Blog - Home Makeover Series: The Curb Appeal

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Home Makeover Series: The Curb Appeal

Your homes curb appeal can make or break a possible sale. I have had buyers say, "lets not stop, I don't like what the outside looks like". That always creates a bit of problem, usually I have made an appointment to see it if it is occupied and not vacant. So I have to call and say the client is not feeling well or some other white lie. It isn't within my scope of duty to insult a homeowner that is not my listing to say, the house looks bad, dull or just uninteresting. That is the listing agents job.

But if you are smart, and you are bringing your home to market to compete in the market place, dressing the outside with great curb appeal is a necessity today. There are exceptions to that of course, but I am not going to discuss those things in this post.

The Homes Paint Finish

So let's get started. If it has been less than 7 or 8 years since the outside has been painted and the place is looking dull, it is time to think that a good pressure cleaning might be in order. If that doesn't do the trick it is probably time to consider hiring a painting contractor. A fresh coat of paint is however just the beginning. There are lots of areas outside that can and should probably be improved.

Outdoor Lighting

The lighting. Is the front porch lighting doing all that it could? Is the light fixture looking worse for wear? Getting a new fixture to go with the paint will brighten everything.And don't forget the walkway lighting and the landscape lighting. Bringing those areas up to date are also essential.

The Roof

How about the roof? Is it holding out the water but looking shabby? A good pressure cleaning to clear off all the dirt that builds up on it could give it new life. Part of what causes roofs to look so bad is the dirt and mold that builds up there. While it is being cleaned is also a good time to call in the roofer to check for tightness and integrity of the roofing material and check out the flashings and the gutters. The caulk that is used to seal those flashings dry up over time,shrinks and cracks and may need redone.

Landscaping

The next area is the landscaping. If the grass isn't green and the trees are over grown, shrubs and flowers have outgrown their place, it may be time for a landscaper to be consulted and to determine what should be pruned and what should removed and replaced. Replacing plants is not all as simple as it sounds. Some things grow better and look better than other choices not to mention that they actually may thrive better and a professional is the best one to help you understand your choices. Even if you want to do the work, they can help make the plan and what cautions you should be aware of. Plant choice for color and what grows best in certain areas is not something most of know a lot about. Guessing is way to costly.

Increasing the overall appeal of the home and the potential value

Adding color to the yard in the way of flowers, be they in planter areas or in pots, do a great deal to put out the welcome sign for neighbors and friends as well as prospective Buyers.

A good makeover for the yard and landscaping will pay huge dividends when your home is on the market and you are competing for attention. Nearly every dollar you spend wisely outside in creating that beautiful curb appeal will return at least as much in satisfaction and if the Buyers are judging, they will likley pick your home over the competition. Appearance counts.

Posted by San Diego Real Estate Voice authored by William Johnson on 04/19/2008 06:51 PM

Comments (19)

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19 Comments on Home Makeover Series: The Curb Appeal

APR

2008

This is an excellent series Bill. Time to spruce up for Spring. I've had a few say that too, the first impression is critical to get them in the door.

William.. nice series! If sellers realized how often a buyer will not even look at a home that appears shabby on the exterior they would be stunned. We have all had buyers who refused to get out of the car if the exterior did not show well

Hi Missy, Many Thanks. I got so tired of reading statistics and actives vrs pendings and solds I knew there had to be another way to write things that might actually help someone. I am sure not knocking all the stats but there must be something more than all the stuff people get in the mail from every brokerage in every town. So I am focusing on clients, consumers, homes and neighborhoods and how to make our lives look and feel better. So I decided to make a series of things that might do well as things I do in monthly mailings to consumers. If they want to sell-these will help. If they just want to live, these ideas can make their lives more interesting. So I see the series a s win win. I am sort of testing my ideas here in the series to get feedback on other people's thoughts and maybe even some new ideas.

Hi Kaye, How are you, I miss seeing you. You always have such sparkling ideas and make me smile.

Thanks for the compliment, I was just explaining to Missy of why I have opted to do the series. I will do other things in between but I want to build a nice usable and useful collection, maybe for monthly mailings ? I am even considering expanding each of these posts in the series to add in a few professionals and a glimpse of their ideas and what they specifically can do. Looking to put out a really creative and useful series.

William - beyond the monthly mailings you should - appropriately - compile them into a Real Estate Book.

It's amazing how quickly landscaping gets overgrown here in Florida. Most owners also don't use their front door - they drive into the garage and go into the house from there. When you have to duck under branches and walk off the walkway and then avoid spiderwebs, it's certainly not inviting.

Hi Sharon, I used to live in Fla and I know exactly what you are saying. I used to take care of my own landscaping and it was a weekly chore and I filled many barrels of cuttings. I had a lush look but it was amazing how much work I would put into things. But I loved it and it was something I took a great deal of pride in.

APR

2008

Great recommendations! I suggest updated lighting fixtures on a majority of the homes we consult on. It is usually such an easy update, but owners easily see past their outdated fixtures.

Hello Julianna, Thanks for dropping by, I so appreciate you sharing your insight ,especially on the lighting. I know you are so right on that issue. Thanks again, I hope other posts in the Home Makeover Series will attract you attention and I hope you will drop by and share your insight on those as well.

Hi Bill, My name is Sue.

You said in your comment to Kaye: "I am even considering expanding each of these posts in the series to add in a few professionals and a glimpse of their ideas and what they specifically can do. Looking to put out a really creative and useful series."

You might want to view our website www.featurethisdotdotdot.com. Our staging team specializes in curb-appeal. Our other website, www.curbappealfordummies.com, will launch sometime within the next two weeks, and will have exclusive info from the front lines of the curb-appeal battlefield, along with super tips to help overcome resistance from sellers in the interest of their very own equity!

My sister has worked as a color consultant part-time for a company that is, hands down, the leading authority in North America for both interior and exterior color palettes. She is our most valuable asset, as she has researched and resolved thousands of curb-appeal nightmares.

We have a customized curb-appeal package we offer to other stagers and real-estate professionals that is inconceivably affordable, and allows the Realtor or stager to utilize our expertise and re-package our advice as their own. View our website for details on this offer!

We want to help you make the world be a prouder place, one house at a time!

We'd love for you to consider us for your list of authorities on curb-appeal.

~Sue Eldredge

I like your concept of writing the series for use in other formats, and for consumers. Your writing is very warm, interesting and pertinent. To maximize your exposure and hold readers' interest, many of the blogging gurus highly tout breaking up content using new paragraphs with headers. It is always a pleasure to read you!

Hi Sue, After I finish the series, I would like to back and review what potential resources might be added to make the posts of more lasting value for the consumer buy providing a resource directory. I would then post them on my personal blog for consumers here in San Diego. Naturally I would list those resources that would have na interest in serving the needs of people who might read those posts.

I really appreciate your offer and will go to the links you provided and read through the material. Many Thanks and I certainly appreciate you making the offer.

Hi Susie, I guess in my enthusiasm to get the posts out, I am ( falling back into old habits) missing the opportunity to optimize them and I appreciate your suggestion to re-look and perhaps enhance the posts for greater appeal. I am so tired , I will look tomorrow and see how best I might proceed to do that. Many Thanks and I certainly appreciate the reminder and you're looking out for my best interests.

Getting a home ready for market can be such an overwhelming task. People often need a lot of moral support. It's the least we can do. Usually I'm rolling up my sleeves and helping. I feel for sellers whose homes become "products" overnight.

Hi Ardell, Me too! I go through this with each one and they do seem to be taking longer to get them just right for market. One good thing is they all sell pretty fast even in a slow market. Getting them fixed and dressed up, coupled with great marketing plan, gets the job done. And Voilà, before you know it, the new Buyers are in and the sellers are on to their next home. But I empathize with the owners. It is never easy and requires a great deal of diligence.

William - Curb appeal, curb appeal, curb appeal. This is a major ingredient to a home. I think many homeowners do not realize it. Take care.

Hi Chuck, it makes or breaks the house. It is a lot of work but it makes the occupants sure glad they live there when it is well cared for . A real sense of pride. Buyer's make their first judgment coming up on the place. And many never get past it.

APR

2008

Good Monday Morning William,
I don't think the importance of curb appeal (first impression) can be overstated. I believe that whether Buyers realize it or not, it is very powerful and plays a big part in their decision process.

Spring is a great time to showcase homes, isn't it?

Good Morning Cynthia,
Buyers today are learning to be more sophisticated in their preferences. A seller that makes the home attractive on first impression is way ahead in the battle of perceptions. First impressions do matter and as you say, it plays a big part in the decision making process. The difference in dollars for a job well done may never be determined is exact figures but make n mistake, it factors into the price in a big way.

APR

2008

William,
True, true!

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