Whether you’re meeting new clients or colleagues, on a job interview, or out on a first date, you have the same goal: to make a good first impression. That holds true for selling your home. A buyer’s first impression can make or break whether they even want to go inside for a look.  It is estimated that more than half of all houses are sold before the buyers even get out of their cars. With that in mind, be sure to stand outside of your home and take a realistic “fresh look” and write down a complete inventory of what is wrong with your home’s appearance, and then make a list of ways in which you can fix those problems.

I have seen many homes that would have benefited from even the simplest fix-ups, like mowing the lawn, painting a bit of trim, or removing litter from the front yard. These homes sold for less than their market value because the buyers assumed the home’s outward appearance was an indicator of its true value.

As a homeowner or investor with a house for sale you need to have enthusiastic buyers making offers in order to see maximum gains. Enthusiastic buyers and Realtors will result in a higher selling price in a much shorter period of time. Without question, selling your home and the curb view leaves something to be desired, it is well worth the investment to improve the home’s exterior appearance and improving your home’s curb appeal doesn’t necessarily mean wiping out your savings account.

I recommend this invaluable information and ideas to anyone who is interested in improving the exterior of their home in preparation for a sale, or simply to increase your net worth.

-         Landscaping should be well cared for, with shrubs and trees – especially evergreens – pruned and shaped. 

-         Check if there are patches of dead grass, remove them and get some grass seed.

-         Lawn neatly mowed, trimmed and raked

-         Dispose of any old / broken lawn furniture or toys.

-         Fix anything that is broken on the outside of the home, lights, gutters, shutters, door bells, etc.

-         Replace tarnished door knobs or handles. The door can be spruced up by a coat of paint if needed

-         proper outdoor lighting for evening visitors

-         Re-caulking windows and touching up window frames is easy and inexpensive.

-         Freshly painted home and/or fencing, including clean or freshly power washed siding.

-         Add some flowers to the front walkways and entrances.

With these basic steps your can dramatically improve your home’s curb appeal without breaking the bank.