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Put A Smile On Your Home's Face - The Importance of Curb Appeal

By
Home Stager with Dezigner Digz

Many people underestimate the importance of curb appeal when selling their home. When you want to get top dollar for your property, it's important that the exterior be just as appealing as the interior.  Why not put the effort into the little extras that will show people how much you have cared for your home.  Many potential buyers scout around their target areas taking down the numbers of homes for sale that are of interest to them.  If the outside of your home looks tired and uncared for, chances are your real estate agent won't be getting a call from that potential buyer to book a viewing.

In the spring, summer and fall, add colour to the front of your home with flowers.  Also make sure that your lawn is diligently weeded and watered often.  Make sure that you adhere to local watering regulations.  Overgrown shrubs should be trimmed.  You want to show off your home, not hide it.  During the winter months, architectural features come into play such as statues and urns.  Even on the dreariest winter day, they tend to make a space look interesting.  Dress up your urns with pine boughs, berries and other seasonal "baubles".

Is the paint peeling on your garage or front door?  A quick coat of paint will really make a difference.  Just remember to use a neutral colour that won't turn off potential buyers.

What about your driveway?  Is it covered in oil stains or showing signs of cracking?  You wouldn't try to sell your home with stains all over the carpet would you?  The same goes for your driveway.  If you feel adventurous, go to your local hardware store and get advice on repairing and sealing it yourself.  If you don't have the time, hire a professional.    

All of these little extras will help "put a smile" on your home's face which in turn will make you grin when you get that call from your agent telling you that he or she is on the way over with an offer!

Charlene Storozuk, ISP TM

Dezigner Digz

Dawn Workman
Veracity Real Estate Group, LLC - Camas, WA
Camas Real Estate Expert, MBA, 480-540-8100
I have a listing that is very ugly on the outside and has NO curb appeal.  It is by far the biggest obstacle in selling the house.  I have even hired a stager, but just can't seem to fix the ugly boxy front.  

So, I guess I agree with you  :)



May 27, 2007 02:58 PM
Nalliah Thayabharan
Expert Building Inspections Ltd - Markham, ON
Home Inspector - Commercial Building Inspector Toronto

Hi Charlene!

This is a good suggestion and could come in handy! Thank you for the good suggestion ! Keep posting !

Nalliah Thayabharan

Commercial and Residential Building Inspector

Expert Building Inspections Ltd

May 27, 2007 03:08 PM
Lori Kim Polk
Premiere Home Staging : Home Staging Services - Roseville, CA
Home Stager - Roseville, Sacramento
Hi Charlene.  We must have been on the same wave length.  I just did a concise Blog on this: Honey, Stop the Car!  Glad that you see the same things.
May 27, 2007 05:24 PM
Betty Haney
Haney Consulting - Calgary, AB
Charlene,  Now that winter is pretty much over in Calgary - we had snow last week but it didn't stick - your post is timely and important.  I remember when my husband and I were buying our first home here, we did drive around and write down phone numbers.  And, just like you stated - we by passed any that looked unkept.  Betty
May 27, 2007 05:39 PM
Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

Thanks to Dawn, Mott, Nalliah, Lori and Betty for your comments.  I'm new at blogging.  This was my first attempt.  I look forward to reading what everyone else has to say on their blogs!

 Charlene Storozuk, ISP

 

May 28, 2007 04:48 AM
Kimberly Uksik
Independent - Pickering, ON
Home Stager - Durham, Toronto, On.

Very Good Points Charlene and Welcome to Active Rain!

~Kimberly~

May 28, 2007 11:10 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Hello Charlene, I noticed you for the first time today with your 100,000 points and 200th blog post. I make it a habit to read and post a comment on a bloggers very first post, so here I am! Congratulations on your milestones!

Aug 20, 2010 05:41 AM
Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

Cynthia - Thank you so much for taking the time to go through all of my posts to get to the first one to leave a comment.  That is SO sweet that you do that. 

Aug 20, 2010 10:02 AM