Staging is something I suggest every home seller do. In order to sell your home (and get the most for it), you should prepare it in ways that highlights  your property’s best features and assets and allows potential buyers to picture themselves already moved in. But even more importantly, you need to focus on the exterior of your home to really nail that first impression. If a cake doesn’t look appealing, you bite into it already expecting it to taste unappealing. So improving your curb appeal should be high on your list of preparing your home for the market, and I’ve got four ways you can do it yourself.

Time to tidy up

Your yard should give a potential buyer a sense of what the inside of your home will be: organized, clean, and desirable. A neat yard also signals that you’ve taken good care of the property over time. You can easily clean house by raking the yard, mowing the grass, and trimming trees and bushes while removing dead plants and weeds.

This is also a good time to take a closer look at your driveway. Renting a power washer may be a good idea if the pavement is dirty or dank. You can also use this tool for the garage door, fences, or garden paths. Make sure windows are clean (a little sparkle from the outside certainly doesn’t hurt your first impression) to provide better curb appeal as well as better internal lighting for your home. Lastly, see to anything that may need repair. Window trimming, for example, can be a quick and easy fix that makes a lasting statement.

Planting a good first impression

Beautifying your yard is also another helpful trick to selling your property. Just like with tidying up, you should pay attention to the plants and shrubs, making sure that things are shaped or trimmed. Weeding, using mulch, planting flowers, implementing low-maintenance ground cover for bare areas, and laying sod on dead areas of a lawn (or reseeding if you have the time) are all helpful fixes to better your front and back yards.

An inexpensive addition to house and yard, window boxes are cute and easy to maintain. They come in different sizes, styles, and materials to best match your property. Potted plants are also quick ways to brighten a yard, already planted and ready for your entryway or other highly visible areas. But remember that less is more and that you don’t need to plant entire orchards to sell a home.

Welcome those buyers in

Let your front door act as your welcoming committee. When appraising a home, I look closely at an entryway. Does it make me want to rush inside? Turn around and go? Make sure that everything is in good repair and well-maintained, such as fixing loose boards or possibly repainting. Concrete cracks should be filled and you should restore edges or corners that have begun to crumble. Even a new welcome mat can lighten the entry. Other things to consider updating include outdated knobs and handles or light fixtures. I also suggest a couple of finishing touches: easy to read house numbers or an attractive mailbox. This is the first and last part of your home that a potential buyer will see, and deserves the work and attention.

Painting the best picture

A number of homes don’t sell because a bad paint job scares off buyers, or because of a color that may not be suited to the house. Color plays an important psychological factor. A traditional, neutral hue is best (such as: classic white, off-white, warm taupe, light blue or blue-gray, and pale yellow) and following neighborhood trends is a good indicator of what works in the area.

The first impression that your home makes is important for your potential buyers. What they see first will affect how they perceive the rest of the property. Make sure to put your best foot forward as best you can!

Article Citation: Zillow. (April 7, 2015). “4 ways to add value to your home before anyone even steps inside.” YAHOO! Makers. Retrieved May 18, 2015 from: https://www.yahoo.com/makers/4-diy-tips-for-boosting-curb-appeal-115126527120.html.
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