So you’ve decided to sell your house. Congratulations!
You probably want to get the highest price possible, right?
Well, then, you need to focus on the exterior of the home as much as the interior.
According to a study by the University of Alabama and the University of Texas at Arlington, homes with a high level of curb appeal sell for an average of 7% more than similar houses with an uninviting exterior.
This makes sense because it’s the first impression a buyer has of your home.
So what exactly is curb appeal?
Curb appeal is how your home looks from the outside. This includes the the exterior of the house itself, landscaping, driveway, porch, roof, gutters, etc.
We know that you may not be able to get to every single thing on the exterior of the home. But there are some things that are truly important.
Ways to Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Remove clutter
You’ll first want to remove ALL clutter from the exterior of the home.
This includes anything from toys, bikes, old/rusty furniture, parked cars, above-ground pools, trash cans, and dirty/old decor.
Doing this one thing will greatly improve your curb appeal.
Clean Up Your Shrubs and Landscaping
Trim bushes, weed flowers beds, remove leaves, trim hedges, remove tree limbs, and mow the lawn.
Pressure Wash the House
You can rent a pressure washer inexpensively. Pressure washing will improve the look and the value of the home dramatically.
Paint Your Front Door
A pop of fresh color will make your house look like new and will make an amazing first impression.
Clean Your Gutters
This is something that is missed by a lot of sellers but buyers notice it right away. Clean gutters are a major improvement to the outside of your home that doesn’t cost anything to do.
Make Repairs
Repair anything that is broken. This might be a doorknob, garage door, mailbox, doorbell, or anything that might be broken.
If you want to sell your home for the maximum value, you need to maximize your home’s curb appeal. The tips above will get you there with very little time and money.