Great Curb Appeal Includes the Front Doors

© Good Curb Appeal includes the Front Doors ©

Curb Appeal is a term most of us have been hearing for many years but doesn’t always mean the same thing. I am going to give my interpretation.

 

What is curb appeal?

Curb appeal is the lovely picture your home portrays to the passersbyers and you may have great, average or poor curb appeal.

 

So I guess I want good to great curb appeal, right?

Yes, good curb appeal is when the buyer pulls up to see the home and thinks “what a beautiful home”. Or maybe they will say “how adorable this home is”.

 

So what happens if the home has poor curb appeal like the grass is dead and the paint is fading but it is a nice house anyway?

Curb appeal is so important that sometimes buyers will drive up and take a look at the front yard and say “Let’s go to the next house as I don’t care to go inside”. This can be wrong too as the home may be lovely inside but buyer perception is important.

So you are saying buyers may make a judgment based on a 5 second look at the front yard?

Yes, right or wrong buyers make that judgment call sometimes. Of course the Realtor can say “Oh I have seen the pictures and it is lovely inside with granite countertops and stainless appliances…..but buyers make the final decision whether or not to get out of the car.

You are saying if the grass is dead and there is junk in the driveway and the trim needs painting, that no one will buy my house?

No, but I am saying many qualified buyers may not be interested as they are looking for a home that is well taken care of on this outside too. So some buyers who will stop will get the impression the home is a fixer and might think the price is too high and will submit a low ball offer.

What should I do to give my home some good curb appeal?

·       Paint the faded trim on the fascia boards and garage door trim.

·       Replace the old garage door with a roll up door.

·       Paint the front door or replace it with a newer one.

·       Buy some new hardware for the door if it is worn.

·       Water the grass and get it greened up for visitors.

·       Mow and edge weekly and trim overgrown trees and bushes.

·       If the fence is leaning over, brace it up and paint if necessary.

·       Remove all junk hanging around the house.

·       Try to keep the cars out of the driveway in the day time or when there is an open house.

·       Clean the grease off the driveway.

·       Put the trash cans behind the gate or in the garage.

·       Buy some bedding plants with color and brighten up the front yard.

·       Put out a new mat that says “Welcome”.

·       A nice big bowl of flowers on the porch or a hanging basket of flowers.

·       If the yard is really boring, add a few shrubs and some stepping stones.

·       You can buy some inexpensive shutters already painted to give it a special look and will stand out from similar homes on the block.

·       Clean off all cob webs and dirt by doing a power wash.

Anything else I could do to give it more positive curb appeal?

·       If the roof looks bad and has places where it leaks inside,  replacing  the roof is a good investment and potential buyers will be happy to get a nice home with a new roof. In this market, you will get your money back as it will add value to your home.

·       If your home is painted some outdated color, a paint job in a natural earthtone shade with contrasting color will perk the house up and buyers like new paint. Then after buying the home, their friends and family will drive up and say “wow this is a nice home”.

So you are saying unless I buy a new front door, garage door or have the whole house painted, I can do a few simple repairs and gardening tasks and make my front yard look great  for under $200 and give it the curb appeal I need?

 

Yes, a small amount of work to the front will certainly pay off when the buyers stop and come inside to see how nicely maintained the home is.

 

Don’t forget to make sure your front door is nicely maintained as it calls out to buyers…….come in and see how pretty I am inside!

 

Kristin Hamilton  DRE #014092138 Keller Williams Realty -I sell real estate in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties commonly called the Inland Empire. I am a trained and experienced Short Sale agent. If you are looking for a professional and experienced agent, I am just a click away. Google me at Kristin Hamilton-Real Estate Agent. Homeowners and Buyers both will find my services top notch and successful. Call me to sell your home; both traditional and short sales.

California is a dream come true state no matter what your needs or wants are. We have year round warm weather, beautiful beaches, rustic mountains and desert communities. If you are looking for a home in southern California, please contact me. I am a local California Realtor, live in the Inland Empire community and aware of the local market. I am here to help you find a home or to sell the home you currently own. California has great opportunities to view Nature and Bird Watching. Whatever your needs are, you will find it here in California! From the Inland Empire you are 45 minutes to the beaches, mountains or desert. Housing is affordable in the Inland Empire area!

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Need a Great Realtor in San Bernardino & Riverside? Google me here...Kristin Hamilton 909.557.6966.

Kristin Hamilton CDPE, SFR, CHS, BPOR, BA
Keller Williams Realty DRE-01492138