Proven Hacks To Improve Home's First Impression

Whether you plan to sell in the next couple of weeks or next year, being a homeowner includes keeping the house in tip-top shape.

Boosting your sale price by renovating your kitchen and bathrooms is a good idea, but buyers will never even see your home’s interior if the exterior scares them off. That's why you need to improve your home's curb appeal.  You want your house to say “welcome” to prospective buyers. 

Here are some proven tips to get that inviting curb appeal that will draw in buyers and help you sell your home faster.

1. Be objective. Step back and look at your house as though you’ve never seen it before. After dark, the entry should have sufficient lighting. The address numerals should be visible and easy to read. If your front door needs to be replaced, now’s the time.

2. Hire experts. There are things that you can do and there are things that only professionals know of. To make sure you're on the right path, enlist the help of experts. They have the experience and expertise you need to make your home more appealing. If you can’t afford the pros, take advantage of apps and manufacturers’ websites that let you post a photo of your house, then “paint” it different colors or add amenities.

3. Respect the house's original style. Want to do a remodeling? Don’t fight the house’s original style. Hiring a professional designer can help you work with it or around it.

4. Cost vs. Value. Before you embark on home improvements that will enhance your home’s curb appeal, consider how much money you’ll recoup when you sell the place. Check out remodeling magazines to find out the latest annual cost vs. value report.

5. Add greens. There are two components to curb appeal — the house itself and the plants that give the property life. Trim or replace foundation plants that hide the view of your house from the street. Edge the lawn for a tidy look. Plant flowers that bloom early.

The first thing that people see - both online and offline - is your house' exterior. It is what makes them interested in the house and the reason they want to go in and explore or schedule a visit.