1. The lawn should be properly mowed, and fertilization should be considered in many cases. Curbs, sidewalks, and driveways (concrete only as black top driveways can crack and weaked from edging as they do not have the smooth edges for proper edging) should be edged using a steel-blade edger.

2. The landscaping should be fresh and appealing. The hedges should be properly trimmed, dead or dying flowers/ shrubs should be replaced. Also if the flower beds contain mulch it should generally either be replaced or touched up with new mulch to give it that fresh, well cared for look.

3. The gutters should be cleaned and free of debris. Clean gutters and roofs not only look better but can add years to a roof, as clogged gutters prevent the water from properly flwoing away from the roof and can build, and get under the shingles ruining the roof. (Same goes for debris on the roof)

4. Many homes should even be power washed to bring out their true color and not look dusty or dingy. If the home has shutters they should also be either replaced or if possible cleaned and repainted if needed.

5. Kids toys should be picked up and out of view, and porches/ decks free of toys, debris and clutter also.

   If the exterior of the home does not appear to be well cared for many will assume the interior is the same way. Investing in the proper care, maintenance and updating of your lawn and landscaping can add as much as 10-15% to a homes value as well. Staging the exterior for sale is just as important if not more important than staging the interior simply because if the exterior is not appealing many will simply move on to the next house and never see all the beautiful work inside. Don't lose a sale because you blend in, set yourself apart from the rest with great curb appeal.

   Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C. is an insured, residential and commercial lawn care provider specializing in many lawn care services to assist you in the proper care, and maintenance of your lawn. You can have that beautiful, lush, green lawn you have always wanted with our lawn care services that include: aeration, detaching, lawn rolling, re-seeding, fertilization, lawn mowing, weed whipping, edging, hedge trimming, flower, shrub, and tree planting, spring clean ups, fall clean ups, landscaping, power washing and snow removal. We currently provide lawn care services in the Genesee County Michigan area primarily in Burton, Davison, Flint, Flushing, Grand Blanc, and Swartz Creek.

For a Free Estimate Call Chris at: (810) 877-9655

Let us show you how beautiful your lawn can look.

 
This post has been included in Michigan Real Estate News Genesee County, MI Real Estate News
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Stage It Forward...
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Post is included in group: Curb Appeal 101

14 Comments on Five tips for great curb appeal to get homes sold!

JUL
03
2008

Having a good looking mailbox, and nice visible house numbers helps with that good firstimpression too. And don't forget to clean up after your pets. LOL (I worry about that more than most, since I'm a home inspector).
6:48pm • #1
JUL
04
2008
346,126 Points 8 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Chris I really like your list.  May I copy and put in one of my realtor newsletters with full credit given to you?  In our very rural mountain area lawns are rare but the rest certainly applies. 
3:27pm • #2

Kevin- In my opinion the first too while good aren't really big enough to fit into my top 5. As long as the mailbox isn't rusty or something odd (like a fish head) they are generally ok. The cleaning up after pets is HUGE, I also worry about that too and stress it big time (eventhough it should be common sense) and charge extra (to go wash the mowers)/ won't mow if it is not cleaned up (excessive amounts).... to cover all of us in the event a pet has something (even pets up to date on their shots can spread worms.. to dogs and humans) that can be spread to other pets or even humans. I do not want to be liable for that as I am sure most homeowners do not want to be either, not to mention I would feel horrible if I even accidentally spead something to someone or their pet(s).
11:02pm • #3

Ginger- Definitly :-D Yeah #1 doesn't apply in several areas of the country, however I think if Kevin was ok with it the cleaning up after pets is a good one you could include if you wanted to keep it at 5 tips, if you decided to take the part about lawns out. I could go on and on, like repairing the roof if it is weathered, residing/ repaint, replace old single pane/drafty/broken/ or windows that are "foggy" (condensation between the two glass panes)....etc. etc. etc. and thats just outside (don't even get me started inside, but I think would be a good post for someone such as yourself, or other interior stagers) :-D
11:09pm • #4
JUL
05
2008
346,126 Points 8 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thanks Chris.  I just had to write a report about a very unappealing exterior to include the pet debris problem.  Who would want to walk through C$#P??? 

 
9:08am • #5
138,522 Points 6 Featured Posts

Sellers seem to forget that 22% of the buyer public out there won't go into a house wiithout great curb appeal! Unfortunately, I have yet to put my landscaping in, but I am not selling so its ok...if you are ever in No. Cal for some reason - please let me know. Kym
10:04am • #6

Ginger- No problem. Is there anyway I could get a copy or email of the newsletter? (It isn't a big deal if not.) Yeah I don't deal with others crap, I have my own dog to clean up after lol. :-D
5:48pm • #7

Kym- Wow, that number is actually alot lower than I would of thought really. Does that # include investors who don't care about the current look of homes?

I kind of doubt I will be visiting Cali anytime soon, sorry :-(. I am sure you can put your great taste for interiors into a beautiful landscape outside. Also since I don't know alot about your climate and area (other than it is quite warm lol) I probably wouldn't be much good for helping you pick things out really. Don't get me wrong I could just as easily as you pick out some very beautiful things, but knowing where to actually put them and their tolerance to soil types, sun/shade, and water requirements I'd be lost... however your local nursery can help you and often they can even help you in the designing of your landscape (some places offer it free or at a very reasonable price) :-D.
5:58pm • #8
AUG
22
2008
1,912,613 Points 385 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Chris, I read this post and started to feel a little guilty about my own front yard, which got so bad that a neighbor started to mow it for me.
8:03am • #10

Patricia- Its ok these tips are good to follow even when your not trying to sell :-D
8:50am • #11
952,638 Points 93 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

You are so right.  More often than not the visit to the home only proceeds when the home is maintained on the out side.
9:10am • #12
206,053 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router

Horton, can you move to Bay area California?  I like reading your down to earth posts.  They are right on the money and your knowledge of your expertise is a perfect compliment to home stagers.
9:22am • #13

Jim- Yes it is very hard to get someone to still be a potential buyer when they won't even pull in the driveway because of the outside appearance. But as we both know, beautiful well cared for homes that keep up with their maintenance (inside and out) not only sell faster, but generally sell at a higher value :-D
9:47am • #14

Terrylynn- I have been contemplating a move in the next few years (for the last few years LOL), but I don't know if it will happen or not... basically depends on the market here, but Cali and TX are my top 2 with FL a close 3rd lol

You should move up here :-D J/K the market is still down quite a ways (Excellent time to buy though) here and its not going to be looking up for a while from the way things are looking as values are still decreasing in my area (Just recently heard of a home that sold in 05 or 06 for 989,900 is on the market for well under half... with another one in that same sub for about 26% of the original sales price).... however I think you would be the only interior Stager around here so you would have that as a good bonus, no competition and plenty of homes lol, I have been looking because you are exactly right, my services and your services go hand in hand really, without each other neither of our services will be fully appreciated by the buyers, or sellers for that matter because one missing from the other can detract from the amazing work that was done. Keep up the great work IF I decided to move out there I will definitly look you up as I would love to work with you :-D
10:01am • #15


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Chris Horton

Davison, MI

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Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C.

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