\u201cIf people don\u2019t like the outside, they are going to think the inside looks bad, too,\u201d comments Nicole Hajdu<\/a>, a top Chicago real estate agent who sells homes 53% faster than the average agent. \u201cIt has to look like a show home, inside and out. The way the house looks on the outside is really painting a picture of what it\u2019s like inside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n While these curb appeal tips are great for enjoying your own home, they also can help boost buyer interest if you’re selling. Working with a top agent can help identify the best ways to prep, stage, and market your home for a successful sale.<\/p>\n \n With insight from Hajdu, we put together this list of 12 winter curb appeal ideas to beautify your exterior no matter what the sky throws at it. You can tackle each of these easy projects in a weekend to quickly whip your exterior into shape for your home sale.<\/p>\n 30% of top agents<\/a> in our survey consider painting as the home prep with the highest ROI, potentially adding over $12,000 to the home value at resale.<\/p>\n \u201cMake sure that it\u2019s a bright color because it\u2019s dark during the winter,\u201d says Hajdu. \u201cThat really can be a showstopper. There\u2019s a lot of bright blue and red doors, especially on white houses.\u201d<\/p>\n For a brilliant blue door, try Sherwin-Williams\u2019 Tantalizing Teal<\/a> or the nautical-inspired Salty Dog<\/a>. If you prefer to add heat to your entry, opt for Modern Masters\u2019 Satin Sophisticated<\/a>, a rich red.<\/p>\n In addition to paint, purchase painter\u2019s tape, a paint tray, a roller, and brushes. On average, the cost to paint a door runs between\u00a0 $79 and $178<\/a>, according to Porch.com. Benjamin Moore\u2019s handy calculator<\/a> lets you know exactly how much paint to buy, typically around \u00be of a quart.<\/p>\n An easy way to boost winter curb appeal is to update your address numbers and mailbox. Swapping out address numbers takes less than an hour and only requires the new numbers, nails, and a hammer.<\/p>\n Pick a style that complements your home\u2019s architecture and match the finish to either the mailbox or your door hardware. For example, these bronze numbers<\/a> perfectly suit bungalow-style homes. Explore options for your home on websites like Modern House Numbers<\/a> and Etsy<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you have a post mailbox facing the street, it\u2019s likely one of the first features a buyer will notice about your home. Replace your rusty mailbox with a new one from a hardware store like Home Depot<\/a> or Lowe\u2019s<\/a>. If your existing mailbox just needs a clean, follow these easy tips to clean it up<\/a> using everyday household products like baking soda or vinegar<\/a> and grade #3 steel wool<\/a>.<\/p>\n And lastly, don\u2019t forget to brush snow off your new address numbers and mailbox before open houses and home showings<\/a>!<\/p>\n Winter weather is no excuse for neglecting your landscaping<\/a>. Even if a potential buyer lacks a green thumb, they\u2019ll notice a dying plant or bush in need of a trim. Remove anything dead or unlikely to survive winter from your front yard and porch.<\/p>\n \u201cDust off the bushes in the front,\u201d shares Hajdu, who advises sellers to do this even if you think the snow dusting looks charming. You\u2019ll also want to remove autumn leaves that accumulate on the tops of bushes for a tidier appearance.<\/p>\n Before every home showing, check your front yard for pet droppings and yellow snow \u2014 your cute corgi\u2019s morning mess is a turn off for buyers.<\/p>\n Winter storms wreak havoc on your roof and can crack, warp, and blow away its shingles. However, we don\u2019t recommend going up on the roof alone in icy conditions. Hire a professional to inspect and repair your roof<\/a> in the fall before the first frost if possible. The average cost for a roof inspection runs between $125 and $376<\/a>.<\/p>\n This proactive home improvement might even spare you from drama after the home sale papers are signed. \u201cA lot of inspectors don\u2019t go on the roof,\u201d says Hajdu, sharing that she\u2019s experienced buyers complaining about the roof\u2019s condition after closing. \u201cYou don\u2019t want any issues with the buyer.\u201d<\/p>\n Homebuyers who see an un-shoveled walkway will immediately visualize themselves in-charge of the back-breaking task. They also may feel suspicious of the hardscape\u2019s condition if they can\u2019t see it for themselves. Clear your walkways and driveways to prevent your buyers from having these negative thoughts upon arrival.<\/p>\n Stock up on extra ice melt to keep your driveway and walkways clear and safe throughout the listing period. Compare pellet, granule, and liquid options with Menards\u2019 Snow and Ice Melting Buying Guide<\/a>. A 50-pound bag of ice melt costs $15 to $35 on average<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"homelight](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/ccprototypev5\/images\/logo-small-cta.png\"){kind=logo}
\n <\/div>\n \n Selling Your Home In Fall or Winter?<\/h3>\n
1. Paint the front door a cheery shade<\/h2>\n
2. Invest in new address numbers and a mailbox<\/h2>\n
3. Tidy up your landscaping by removing debris<\/h2>\n
4. Hire a professional roofer to inspect your roof\u2019s shingles<\/h2>\n
5. Clear driveways and walkways for improved curb appeal and safety<\/h2>\n