First impressions matter most. Curb appeal is one thing most homeowners who are trying to sell their homes and first time investors who want to rent or sell a property must understand. It is the first thing that people notice when they come to see a home. For this reason, as a real estate investor or seller, you should ensure that the exterior of the home is inviting and appealing to potential buyers or tenants.
The first thing people notice on the exterior is crumbling paint and bland or tired and faded colors. Vinyl siding is appealing because it is easy to maintain and reinvigorate. Although siding is relatively low maintenance, some say it reduces the potential personality of a home. That is a personal decision on the part of the seller or buyer. Regardless, repair any cracks, loose railings, place a new welcome mat, and add a fresh coat of paint job and you can avoid giving potential buyers the impression that the house is neglected. Don’t weaken your bargaining position by giving buyers a bad first impression.
In addition to landscaping the outside of your home, you can plant low maintenance flowers and plants in front of your home to add curb appeal. If the outside of your home is unimpressive, potential buyers are likely not to notice the diamond that can be found inside. The exterior of your house should not be planted with plants that require constant care or plantings so large that they grow out of control and appear unwieldy. You should instead plant climbing vines or shrubs along fence lines or privacy lines between your property and neighboring properties.
You may want to think about a hybrid grass that thrives in less water or choose landscaping that isn’t dependent on large large open patches of grass for beauty. The idea is to make the house just as appealing from the outside as it is from the inside.
It is important to maintain the sidewalks and driveway if they are concrete. It is amazing what a pressure washer can do to your sidewalks, driveway, and front porch. Not only that, but make sure your doors and windows are clean as well. These little things often make the biggest difference. It’s more than likely that if you take good care of the outside of your home and keep it nice and shiny, the buyer will perceive that you’ve taken good care of the inside too.
You can get better offers on your home if you spend an extra moment making the exterior more appealing to potential buyers. Make sure you incorporate this powerful piece of advice into your marketing strategy in order to maximize your chances of success.
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