We’ve all heard about the importance of curb appeal when trying to sell a house. It’s all about first impressions, yet when I see houses for sale; I still often see ugly, unkempt yards. In a market flooded with homes for sale, it still amazes me that people just don’t get it. You can have done all the work to the inside that you want, but if you’ve left the outside a mess, you will have a much harder time getting people through the door. Here are some tips to help you get your home sold!
- Keep the grass trimmed, edged, and weed free. When you pull up to a yard and the grass is long, shaggy, and full of weeds, it makes you wonder if the rest of the home has been let go as well.
- Edge and weed the beds. This one seems like common sense, but I am always amazed at how many homes I see up for sale where the beds are full of weeds. A nice tight edge gives the beds a sharp look and delineates between grass and beds.
- Keep all hard surfaces weeded. Whether it’s the weeds in the cracks of the concrete or the ones in the paver sidewalk, they need to go. A weed free landscape gives a sense of a well-kept home, in and out.
- Remove and dead, diseased, or dying plants. Nothing looks worse than walking up a front walkway and finding dead plants in the landscape. A bare spot is better than looking at a dead plant.
- Mulch. Mulch is like natures band aid. Nothing makes a landscape look better than fresh mulch.
- Color. Color doesn’t have to be expensive; a few annuals in the ground or in pots can be plenty eye catching.
- Repair any structural eyesores. Fence posts, loose bricks, busted siding. These things all catch a person’s eyes and add to the perception that the house hasn’t been taken care of.
Remember, the average person isn’t a landscape expert, but most anyone can see when a house has been maintained. A few simple steps can go a long way in improving your curb appeal and getting your house sold. Perception is reality!