Curb appeal is your first, and sometimes only, shot to make a potential buyer fall in love with your house.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst impressions are everything,\u201d says Kathleen Caponigro,<\/a> top real estate agent in the Pocono Mountains region of Pennsylvania. \u201cIf a home has bad curb appeal\u2014I\u2019ve had buyers who refused to even go beyond the walkway. It gives an impression of what to expect inside.\u201d<\/p>\n 99% of real estate agents<\/a> feel the same way: your curb appeal needs a refresh before you sell your home, or you risk lowball offers and losing the sale altogether. We\u2019ll dive into 14 quick and easy curb appeal ideas so simple you can implement them right now. You home sale is on the line, so let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n Have you ever started a craft or home project and never finished it? We\u2019ve all done it, but here\u2019s a quick reminder: none of your curb appeal projects should go unfinished. Make sure you see through anything you start.<\/p>\n Unfinished curb appeal projects may make buyers think that you\u2019ve neglected other important home maintenance, even if you haven\u2019t.<\/p>\n Curb appeal affects your home sale from the minute your real estate agent puts your listing online. Caponigro shared, \u201cIf the pictures are not attractive, people are not going to call to see the listing…maximize the first impression in print and in person before you even do the listing.\u201d<\/p>\n Caponigro also suggests, \u201cPainting the front door or the trim, adding some flowers to the front porch\u2014just something to make it more inviting.\u201d Let\u2019s dive into exactly how to make Caponigro\u2019s curb appeal tips a reality for your home.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re currently crunching numbers on a new coat of paint for the house you\u2019re about to sell, stop right now. Repainting your entire home will take days, endless coordinating, and cost a few thousand dollars. Unless your paint is flaking or peeling off quite a bit, chances are you don\u2019t need an entire new paint job.<\/p>\n Power washing the home will remove all of the grime that\u2019s caked onto the paint over the years. The home will look fresh, clean, and photo-ready. \u00a0The best part? You can rent a pressure washer from your local Home Depot for under $50<\/a> and DIY the job.<\/p>\n Just know that the pressure washer is a powerful tool that, if used incorrectly, can cause cosmetic damage or even structural issues to your home. If you have fragile surfaces on the outside of your house like wood or stucco, make sure you get a wide-angled nozzle. Consumer Reports recommends a 40\u00b0 angle or a low-pressure nozzle<\/a>, and advises that you keep the sprayer at least 6-inches away from the surface you\u2019re cleaning.<\/p>\n Not into power tools? Search for reputable pressure washing companies nearby on Yelp<\/a> or Angie’s List.<\/a> You\u2019ll pay a little more: these services can cost anywhere between $100-$300, but you won\u2019t have to lift a finger.<\/p>\n For more on cleaning up the outside of your house, check out our guide to making your home exterior sparkle<\/a>.<\/p>\n Landscaping your front yard can be quick and easy, as long as you keep it simple.<\/p>\n Pick a couple of easy to grow, hardy plants to plant at the base of your house and throughout your front yard. One popular option is the butterfly bush.<\/a> Home Depot has a great garden section, and you can also visit your local nursery and pick up in-season plants flowers and shrubs.<\/p>\n Decomposed granite, river rocks, and bark are great grass alternatives, especially if you know you live in an area (like California) where keeping a lawn green is nearly impossible.<\/p>\n For a better visual, take a look at this video from HGTV\u2019s Property Brothers:<\/p>\nDon\u2019t Start Any Projects You Can\u2019t Finish<\/h2>\n
1. Pressure Wash the Exterior<\/span><\/h2>\n
2. DIY Your Front Landscaping<\/span><\/h2>\n