The importance of curb appeal when selling your home in today's market

Curb appeal could not be more important than in todays tough market. With all the inventory on the market you want to make sure that your home stands out from the minute the buyers pull up to it. Here are a few tips and ideas to help you improve your curb appeal when selling your home. Some things can be as inexpensive and easy as power washing your home to spruce up the look.
Make a list of the problem areas you discovered. Tackle clean up and repair chores first, then put some time into projects that make the grounds more attractive.
Kill mold and mildew on the house, sidewalks, roof, or driveway.
Stow away unnecessary garden implements and tools.
Clean windows and gutters.
Pressure wash dirty siding and dingy decks.
Edge sidewalks and remove vegetation growing between concrete or bricks.
Mow the lawn. Get rid of weeds.
Rake and dispose of leaves, even if your lot is wooded.
Trim tree limbs that are near or touching the home’s roof.
Don’t Forget the Rear View
Buyers doing a drive by will try their best to see your back yard. If it’s visible from another street or from someone’s driveway, include it in your curb appeal efforts.
Evening Curb Appeal
Do your curb appeal exercise again at dusk, because it isn’t unusual for potential buyers to drive by houses in the evening.
One quick way to improve evening curb appeal is with lighting:
String low voltage lighting along your driveway, sidewalks, and near important landscaping elements.
Add a decorative street lamp or an attractive light fixture to a front porch.
Make sure lighting that’s visible through front doors and windows enhances the home’s appearance.
Landscaping Decisions
There are times that adding elements to your landscaping can improve curb appeal, but there are other times when removing something is even more effective.
For example, we had a listing for a large brick house with large white columns. Tall evergreens, planted in front of each column, had grown taller than the roof. They obscured the columns and windows and made it difficult to see the front of the house.
We suggested that the owner remove them. She trimmed them back, but it didn’t do the trick—they were unattractive and still kept potential buyers from seeing the true character of the house.
I sold the house to a couple who could see past the trees. One of their first tasks after closing was to yank them out of the ground, instantly boosting the home’s curb appeal.
Most buyers cannot visualize changes, and often won’t take a second look at a house if the first look doesn’t appeal to them. Home buyers who can visualize changes, and are prepared to make them, expect you to reduce the price of the house to compensate for the work they plan to do.
A Few Curb Appeal Tips
If you can budget it, a fresh paint job does wonders for a dingy house. Drive around your town to find color schemes that are appealing.
Install a more attractive front door, maybe something with leaded glass inserts.
If you can’t justify the cost of a new door, consider replacing plain doorknob hardware with something more attractive.
If new hardware is beyond your budget, repaint or stain the door and polish the hardware?
If you brainstorm, you’ll find that there’s a solution to most problems—one that lets you stay within your budget. The trick is to find the areas where improvements are needed, then work on them as best you can.

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