Curb Your Enthusiasm

If you’re planning to put your home on the market this summer or fall, you’ll likely have a few things to do to get it into shape. Why not enjoy the beautiful weather and start on the outside? After all, the experience of your home doesn’t start at the front door – it starts at the curb, where buyers get their first impression. Ensuring that impression is a good one is relatively easy, providing an amazing return on the investment of your time, and (not a lot) of money.

Here are our favorite ways to make your home stand out, from basic to that extra little touch.

1. Come in your own front door

Most of us pull into the garage or parking area and enter through the back door, rarely seeing our home from its most public side. So, before you do anything else, park out front, and walk up your own sidewalk. Does it feel welcoming? Well-cared for? If this were a home you were considering purchasing, what would you change? Jot it down.

2. Trim the shrubs

Overgrown bushes block views and light. Make sure that any shrubs are neatly trimmed and frame your home’s façade rather than obscure it.

3. Give your lawn an edge

Of course you’ll want to mow your lawn, but one way to set an average lawn apart is to edge it along the sidewalks. Edging creates a neat border and looks professionally manicured. You can also do a “spade edge” around gardens for a similar look and to keep mulch from spreading into the grass.

4. Paint the front door

The impact of a painted door can be mighty when you choose a color that contrasts with your home’s siding. Go for eye-catching (but not jarring) and be sure it ties in with, or complements, other colors on your home and roofing.

5. Paint or upgrade the mailbox

Is your mailbox rusty, dusty or just plain dull? Replace it, or paint it an eye-catching color (matching your door, perhaps?) to let people know that you are proud of your home.

6. Consider new lighting

Has the light above or near the front door, or on the garage, seen better days? Inexpensive replacements can be found at big box stores for as little as $40, and updated fixtures convey a fresh and stylish home inside and out. If you like your current lighting, clean it and give it a new look with a quick coat of spray paint. And don’t forget to check the bulbs!

7. Update the house numbers

Replacing dull or dated house numbers is magic! Choose crisp, clean numbers in a finish that contrasts with the siding or trim, then stand back and admire this simple yet transformative upgrade.

8. Spring for a new doormat

A brand-new doormat welcomes people to your home. Like new house numbers, it delivers a big impact for a tiny price tag.

9. Plant (or buy) some flowers

Whether they’re in window boxes, planters or hanging pots, flowers bring life and color to the entryway.

10. Make it festive

If you have a front porch, or even just an outdoor covered entrance, add a comfortable bench or chair and add a few pillows. String lights add a festive note, especially for evening showings. Whether you do all of the above or just one thing, you’ll have improved the experience for those who visit your home. And you’ll get to enjoy the improvements until your home sells. Win-win!

Curb appeal plays a vital role in making a lasting impression and increasing the value of your home. By dedicating time and effort to enhance the exterior, you create an inviting atmosphere and elevate the overall aesthetic. Whether you follow any of the above tips or change something else, curb appeal showcases pride of ownership and fosters a sense of belonging.