7 Affordable Curb Appeal Ideas that Can Add Value to your Home
There is a lot of truth to the saying “you never get another chance to make a good first impression.” That is particularly true when you put your house up for sale.
Unquestionably, curb appeal can add value to your home. So the question becomes, how do you boost the curb appeal of your home without breaking the bank? There really is no need to go overboard by adding features like fountains and gazebos that can make buyers think you house is high maintenance.
Try driving up to your home and pausing to view the exterior from a buyer’s point of view. Look at the condition, the color and the landscaping. Do any maintenance issues jump out at you?
Here are some good ideas for improving your home’s curb appeal when you put your house on the market in the Finger Lakes region.
- Clean the Exterior
Just like scrubbing down the interior of your home to make it sparkle, washing your house can add thousands of dollars to the sale. If you’re handy, you may want do the job yourself. But chances are you are busy doing other things like packing for the move, so hiring a professional to clean the exterior your house may be a better idea. If just washing your house does not achieve the look you want, you might want to invest in a fresh coat of paint.
Photo Credit: Flora Painting
- Powerwash the Driveway
When you wash the exterior of your house, don’t forget about the driveway. The first step when you have a brick or paver driveway is to make sure you get rid of any weeds growing in between. If you don’t have a powerwasher you can probably borrow one from a neighbor. Or, you can rent one from a store like Home Depot. You can also make it easy by hiring a handyman to do the job for you.
- Paint the Front Door
As hard as it is to believe, real estate professionals say that just painting your front door can add thousands to your sale price. Choosing the right color, like black or charcoal gray, may get you the most in some areas. Some people who live in locations that are rich in history opt for a freshly painted red door that attracts attention. But whatever color you choose, don’t skip this important – and very affordable – step when you put your house on the market.
- Add Potted Plants
You can make your entryway more inviting by taking it a step further and adding potted plants to the flank the front door. Large pots of plants, perennials or colorful flowers in spring and summer on either side of the freshly painted door can set the tone to welcome visitors before they even put a foot inside. You want to send a positive, welcoming message any way you can.
- Change the Mailbox
When it comes to adding curb appeal, small changes can make a big difference. It may be a modest change, but a brand new mailbox can make a huge difference when it comes to adding curb appeal. Like switching out the door handle and address numbers for new ones, installing a new mailbox shows that you pay attention to details when it comes to caring for your home. And that can send a definite positive message when you are trying to sell.
- Spruce Up the Landscaping
You don’t have to go through an extensive – and expensive – relandscaping job when you sell your home, but you do have to pay attention to the landscaping. At the very least, remove dead trees and shrubbery. If you have the budget, you may want to replace some of the landscaping items to make your house more appealing to buyers. Removing old, overgrown or dead bushes and replacing them with new ones can make a world of difference, along with getting rid of weeds on the lawn.
- Add Lighting
An easy and affordable tip for adding curb appeal and boosting the value of your home is to add lighting to the exterior. Well-placed lighting can enhance your home’s appearance and add safety and security. For a few hundred dollars or less, you can create an inviting look or generate drama with lighting options like uplighting, downlighting and string lighting.
Start by replacing any burned out bulbs in your existing exterior lighting, especially by the front door. Then light up walkways with low wattage lighting that blends with your landscaping and will not disturb animals in the area. Consider motion sensor lights to save energy.
When you partner with a real estate agent to sell your house, you will be working with a dedicated professional who knows how to boost your curb appeal and make your house more attractive to buyers. Kelli Ide can offer affordable curb appeal suggestions to add value to your home when you sell in New York’s Finger Lakes region.
Kelli Ide is a professional real estate agent who can help you make smart decisions about buying or selling real estate. Kelli Ide offers a unique, concierge-style approach to real estate, including staging, photo styling and market preparation services exclusively for clients to give them an edge over the competition. For further information about buying or selling a home in the Finger Lakes, visit kelliide.com.
Ready to up your Curb Appeal to Add Value you to your Home? Contact me to help you get started!
