Curb Appeal, what not to do
I think the decision to buy is often made at the front door. There are certainly more drive bys before a showing appointment because of the extensive research made by Buyers to find the home on Internet. It's time to place some Mums on the front entrance in time for FALL.
Curb appeal, one of the items that should be high on every seller's must-do list before they put their home on the market. There are a number of things that can be done to - at the very least - spruce up the front of the home.
Curb appeal, or better, the lack thereof, is one of the top 5 reasons why buyers may not enter a home!
What not to do
5. Don't be bland
you want your home to stand out, in a positive way, and stay top of mind. Check with your HOA, if applicable, which kind of changes you are allowed to make that will make your home look a bit different than the rest. Can you change the style/color of the front door or shutters? Are window boxes allowed? How about light fixtures? Landscaping? Add some personal touches, a pillow in your front porch rocker , a wreath on the door or a welcoming sign.
4. Don't neglect your yard
trim overgrown bushes and trees so that your house can be seen from the street. Water your lawn, rake the leaves and add a few colorful plants.
3. Don't leave anything in disrepair
is your front door hard to open and people "must jiggle the key" to unlock, please replace the lock! Make sure railings are tight, gaps are sealed, bees nests are removed, downspouts are extended and draining away from the house.
2. Don't stay in the dark
As we enter the Fall and Winter seasons, pay extra attention to your outdoor lighting. Is your porch light functioning and bright? Could your front yard benefit from some extra lighting to show off your curb appeal?
Last, but not least, my new #1 Curb appeal, what not to do:
Don't leave anything out front that does not belong there!
Sadly, this is a true story. I just snapped this picture last week while showing homes in 20906 Silver Spring.
I had to do a double-take as I walked up to the front door.
What in the world ...?
While I'm house hunting with my buyers, we always end up assigning nicknames to the homes we toured. It's much easier than referring to the street address.
Make sure you home will be remembered as the pretty house! You wouldn't put an offer on the crappy one, or would you?
ANDREA BEDARD, M.A. ~ THOMPSON COMPANY, REALTORS ~ LIVING MARYLAND BLIPS
Thompson Company, REALTORS
15711 New Hampshire Ave Silver Spring, MD 20905
o: (301) 384-9177 c: (240)593-2860
andreabedard@mris.com
Maryland Home SearchAndrea is a REALTOR® based in Silver Spring, MD. She has enjoyed assisting buyers, sellers and renters since 2004 and focuses on residential Real Estate in Montgomery and Howard County, MD. Andrea is a proud mom of two girls and hobby decorator with a vintage soul. She enjoys everything beautiful in life and always answers the phone with a smile.
All photographs are my own and I'd like to keep it that way. All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
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