Are you considering putting your home up for sale and looking for ways to make it stand out?
A potential buyer’s first impression of your home can be the difference between receiving an offer or not. And in today’s competitive real estate market, this matters a lot.
According to the National Association of Realtors, routine lawn care was cited by 14% of realtors as helping them to sell a home. This easy option can improve the appearance of your home while also being affordable. That same study reported that the average cost of this routine maintenance was $330.
“In terms of those outdoor projects that are most likely to add value to a property, however, the Realtors chose an overall landscape upgrade. In the study, the project described was: ‘Install a front walkway of natural flagstone 3 feet wide and 30 feet long. Add two stone planters 6 feet long and 2 feet wide.'”
But basic lawn care is not the only way to improve your home’s curb appeal on a budget. Read on to learn about 3 cheap curb appeal upgrades that will help you sell your home.
1. Add New Landscaping
Landscaping helps you add to curb appeal and can increase your home’s sale price.
The impact of new landscaping on a home’s sale price is a 5 to 20 percent increase in value.
Putting in new landscaping at your home includes doing things like new sod, plants, and shrubs. The plants you choose depend on the weather conditions and light sources available in your yard.
Be sure to pay attention to the season that you put your home up for sale because this impacts your plant choice. If you are in a climate with little to no rain, pick plants that require minimal watering.
This way you are able to ensure these plants stay alive during the time your home is up for sale.
Do you already have a nice yard at your home? You should consider mowing your lawn and edging it to make sure your yard stands out from others on your block.
2. Paint Your Home
One of the most effective ways to improve a home’s curb appeal is to paint the exterior. This is because a fresh coat of paint can make your home look newer and be more pleasant for your visitors. It will also make it stand out from neighboring homes, which is an important consideration for buyers facing limited inventory, but who really want to live in a particular school district.
You should choose your colors carefully, however. It is safest to pick colors that are neutral and complement one another. If you hire a painting company, they will typically offer a portfolio of photos for you to see their past work. This could provide some inspiration for your color scheme. If you intend to do the painting as a DIY project, talk to a professional paint store (not the employees at your local big box home improvement warehouse). A popular choice these days is light blue and light gray.
In addition to the paint, you should pressure wash your home’s porch or front patio if it has one. This helps to round out an affordable makeover to your home’s exterior.
3. Replace Old Hardware
Front door curb appeal can be improved by replacing old hardware.
Do you have tarnished door handles and locks? You should consider replacing these before you start having potential buyers tour your home. The same goes for street numbers or the worn out front door mat you may have. Even your mailbox on the street can make a good first impression.
You could decide to replace your front door altogether, or give it a fresh paint job. Between these changes and other cosmetic changes like paint and landscaping, you can significantly improve your home’s curb appeal.
One important thing to consider is that your changes should not interrupt the style of your home. By keeping your home’s style consistent, it helps create a better flow from the exterior to the interior.
Wrapping Up: The Best Cheap Curb Appeal
Cheap curb appeal can have a significant impact on a potential buyer’s opinion about your house. It is their first impression, and the one that could cause them to remember it later that evening as they review the homes they toured that day.
Before you put your home up for sale, it’s important to take an honest look at its strengths and weaknesses. This way you can identify the most important areas where you can improve the exterior of your home.
At RE/MAX Executives of Idaho, we are an experienced team of real estate professionals that buy and sell homes. We will work together with you to help you prepare your home listed and priced to sell.
Contact us today to learn more about what makes our team stand out from the competition.
Leave A Comment