Curb appeal is like a straight, white smile. The first impression of a house helps the buyer determine whether they will take a tour or not. You can't sell your house if you can't get people to see it, right?
Pictures are the number one tool when it comes to exposure. MLS, and other Internet websites are the most used tool for home searchers, so it is important to make that first impression count! If buyers don't love what they see on the Internet, they won't make that appointment to go see it in person. Also when they drive by to get a feel for the neighborhood, curb appeal is the only thing they see of the house, so make it count!!
Some buyers can see the potential, but let's be honest, most won't, and what's worse, most won't want to deal with what it takes to make the home appealing from the outside.
Like a beautiful face with bad teeth, or worse, a beautiful face without any teeth at all, doesn't attract admirers. A house with ugly or non-existing curb appeal won't get your clients to make that call to see the interior of the home.
The holidays are a great opportunity to get the curb appeal to shine! Take advantage of the season to add tasteful, but not over the top holiday decorations and lighting. It will help the buyers picture themselves living in your home, and celebrating the holidays there next year. You will sell faster if they move in "mentally" first, and the holidays are a very emotional time of the year where you can utilize those emotions to get your house SOLD.
Here are a few ideas to help with the creation of great curb appeal:
1- Plan accordingly to your location. If your house is where you get snow, plan to put small pines, shrubs, plants and grasses that can be complimented by it. Use the snow as an ally that adds beauty and charm to the yard.
2- Lighting is a great tool to use this time of the year, and actually every other time as well. Use lighting to accentuate those unique architectural features of your house, and over all, make the entrance bright and inviting. Add lights to your entry way if it is cave-like and enclosed. If you can't afford new electrical work, use the less expensive solar powered lights in the yard, they add warmth even during the cold months.
3- Pick colors that make sense. Choose colors that go with the style of your particular home, and the block in general. Avoid extreme contrast with the other houses in your area, you can still diferenciate your home from the rest without sticking out like a sore thumb.
4 Clean, clean, clean. No matter where you live, make sure your front yard is clean and free from toys, non-running cars, and skate boarding ramps, etc. Don't over saturate your flower beds with decorations either, as they may be perceived as clutter or junk by the potential buyers. If there's snow, make sure driveways and pathways are clear from snow and ice, not just for looks, but as a safety precaution as well.
Make sure you tackle your curb appeal issues BEFORE you take the pictures, every click on the internet counts and should be used to bring buyers in. Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest differences. Pay attention to details and if you can't figure it out, call a home stager. A curb appeal consultaion is real simple and economic. A small investment that can make a huge difference in how fast your house gets sold without breaking the bank.
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