Moving

7 Steps to Create Curb Appeal

Mishall Rehman February 28, 2023

0 3 minutes read

If a posting is in your future or you are looking to add value to your home, it may be time to think about curb appeal. Not only does it create a good impression, but, it could also help seal a deal quickly and for a fair price.

Key Elements

“The key element of curbside appeal is that you do not want the home interior to have to go through an uphill battle if you will. You want to positively predispose the potential buyer to what they’re about to see inside because the inside will sell the home. Still, the outside, the exterior, the overall look of the home can also have an impact on the potential value of the house,” said Emil Turcotte, Partner and Professional Home Stylist at Capital Home Staging & Design. According to Turcotte, if the outside of a house seems problematic, then potential buyers tend to put in lower offers. So, what can you do to up your house’s curbside appeal? Turcotte breaks down some easy ways to get the exterior of your home to tip-top shape to sell your home in no time.

If you have a garden outdoors, make sure it is weeded and well-maintained. Borders of gardens should be crisp, clean, and sharp.

The Nuts and Bolts

One of the most crucial elements of curbside appeal is keeping your home clean when it comes to the exterior. Make sure your recycling and garbage cans, bikes, and children’s toys are all put away. In the summer, make sure the lawn is mowed, and in the winter, make sure the path into the home is free of snow and ice. Ensure that the porch is clean and free of any obstructions. If you have a garden outdoors, make sure it is weeded and well-maintained. Borders of gardens should be crisp, clean, and sharp. Using mulch can aid in creating a clean look. “It will hide a lot of weeds and maintenance issues. Use mulch wherever you can,” said Turcotte. Bottom line: keep the area open and clean.

Repairs

Certain repairs can make a huge difference in adding appeal to your home. Turcotte highly suggests spraying sealant on the driveway or repaving it if there are cracks. Additionally, if your roof is not up to par, you may want to consider getting it fixed as roofs are at the top of the list when it comes to repairs home buyers notice.

Nice and Bright

Lighting is not negligible outside, just like inside the house,” warned Turcotte. Investing in quality
light fixtures outdoors can have a substantial impact on the sale of your home. Also, make sure to keep
them clean and cobweb free.

Wooden front door of a house with lockbox and curb appeal. There are two potted plants and doormat at the front of the door with white wreath near the railings against the plants and trees outside.

Adding Appeal

If you want to take things a step further and work on the beautification of your home’s exterior, Turcotte warns to keep it as simple as possible. “There’s always a danger when you go beyond just a clean look,” said Turcotte. If you do decide to go this route, Turcotte suggests using images from home magazines and home and garden television shows and try to “rec-create them as closely as you can.” The look needs to be done well. Additionally, be sure to use plants and other beautification equipment that you are familiar with. Don’t experiment. One simple things you can do to beautify your home is adding a fresh coat of paint on the garage or front door using neutral colours.

Remove screens from the windows to not only allow more natural light indoors but also to make your home look welcoming overall

Window Care

During the winter months, Turcotte suggests removing screens from the windows to not only allow more natural light indoors but also to make your home look welcoming overall. Be sure also to make sure your windows are washed. These two things put together create a clear view into your home, making it more appealing overall.

The best way to really add curb appeal is to make sure your exterior is clean, neat, and does not create any negative barring on the buyer.

Keeping it Neutral

The bottom line to creating curbside appeal is to keep things neutral and clean. That’s why it is also essential to remove any articles or posters from the exterior that signify a certain preference. “Make sure you don’t have outside your home any type of political or religious insignia. Signs of who you’re voting for, who you’re promoting, who you pray to. The word here is neutral,” suggested Turcotte. In essence, the best way to really add curb appeal is to make sure your exterior is clean, neat, and does not create any negative barring on the buyer. “You want to make sure you’re not impeding the look of the home. That you’re not creating any negative mojo or vibe of the house,” said Turcotte.