Written by Clara Beaufort
If you’re thinking about selling your home this spring, sprucing up your curb appeal is one project you can’t overlook. Curb appeal is essential because it’s what gives buyers a positive (or negative) first impression of your home. While this is true year-round, spring is a time when your home’s exterior really needs to shine. Mother nature gives you a lot to work with, but it’s up to you to make the most of it!
Get a Fresh Look With Paint
If your home’s siding is old or dingy, you can be sure that buyers will take note. Even if your siding is in decent shape, giving it a refresh is a great way to make a major impact on curb appeal. Having your whole home painted is a big project, so you’ll want to make sure you hire experienced professionals who can do the job right.
Before searching for a company, it helps to have a rough budget in mind. Of course, larger homes, especially multi-level homes, cost more to paint than ranch-style homes and those with less space overall. The material of your home’s exterior makes a difference, too. For example, the cost to paint wood may be anywhere from $700 to $3,000 for an average-size home, whereas painting brick can range from $3,500 to $10,500.
If a whole-house paint job isn’t in your budget, an affordable alternative is to paint your front door. The general rule with home selling is to keep things neutral, but this is one area that can be an exception to the rule. For spring especially, you can add a pop of color for your front door, such as a sage green or sunny yellow.
Go Green With Landscaping
Speaking of color, spring is when everything comes back to life, which means buyers will want to see lots of color in your yard. Start with general lawn care, such as planting grass seed, keeping bushes trimmed, and getting rid of debris. Then add mulch, along with flowers that bloom in the spring. If you don’t have a green thumb, it may help to look into which plants are best for the area where you live. For example, you can add color with annuals like pansies and snapdragons or spring-blooming perennials (plants that come back each year).
Add Extra Color With Potted Plants
While you’re at the garden shop, remember that plants aren’t limited to landscaping. Check out these window box ideas from Country Living, with styles that include everything from rustic farmhouse to artsy mosaics. Installing a window box with seasonal flowers is an easy DIY project that adds immense curb appeal. And if you have a front porch or patio, dress it up with potted plants, too.
Upgrade Hardware and Lighting
Big projects like paint and landscaping deliver major bang for your buck, but don’t overlook small details, too. An inexpensive and easy project is to get new hardware for doors, along with modern house numbers that make a statement. Just make sure you pick a design that matches your home’s style. For example, modern hardware fits right in for a contemporary home, but This Old House recommends hardware with a hammered look if you have a historic home.
In addition to hardware, you can boost curb appeal even more with improved outdoor lighting. Besides improving safety, lighting also helps buyers envision outdoor entertaining, which is something many people have on their minds as the weather gets warmer. The right light fixtures also add beauty to your property, and there are all kinds of outdoors lights to consider, from traditional porch lights to pendants, lamp posts (available for $109), and landscape lighting.
Getting your home ready to sell is all about giving buyers the picture of “home” that they’re looking for. Small changes like planting flowers and adding lights may not seem like much, but they’re the things that bring life to a home. Spring sets the perfect backdrop for upgraded curb appeal, so be sure to make the most of it with the best outdoor upgrades!
Photo credit: Pixabay
Written by Clara Beaufort & Published by Price & Co. Realty © – April 2020