Preparing Your Home's Exterior For Sale
by Andrew Sundell
Perhaps you are thinking of listing your house for sale in the near future which may leave you thinking – “what can I do to attract more buyers”? In this article, I focus on reasonable upgrades to your home’s exterior that will tremendously enhance the curb appeal. All of these upgrades can be either done by you, as the homeowner, or by a professional.
Shutters & Windows
Are the shutters around your windows old and faded? Does your home currently lack shutters? Shutters can be easily removed and repainted (or replaced) to refresh your home’s exterior. Refreshed shutters add character when they sharply contrast against the home’s main exterior color. Shutters are an easy and quick way to completely change the look of your house.
Front Door & Porch
The front door is typically where prospective buyers start and end their showing of your property. Leaving a lasting impression should be at the top of your Home Sale priority list! If you are only willing to make one improvement to your front door, I suggest some fresh paint. When I approach a listing appointment and notice a dingy front door, I encourage the seller(s) to address this. Other options you have to dress up your front door include installing new handles & hardware, hanging a decoration such as a wreath, and adding a new welcome mat. All of this can be done for less than $150, along with some sweat equity, and will most definitely give your home an edge.
Whether you have a porch, or a stoop, or a walkway leading up to your front door – it should be well maintained. Make sure to repair any cracks in the pavement, replace any non-functioning lights, and ensure it is clean. To liven this area up, you can add some colorful potted plants, a new lighting fixture, a hanging flag, a small table and chair(s) depending on space, or an exterior rug. This signals to buyers that you care about your home which makes them feel more comfortable.
Whether you have a porch, or a stoop, or a walkway leading up to your front door – it should be well maintained. Make sure to repair any cracks in the pavement, replace any non-functioning lights, and ensure it is clean. To liven this area up, you can add some colorful potted plants, a new lighting fixture, a hanging flag, a small table and chair(s) depending on space, or an exterior rug. This signals to buyers that you care about your home which makes them feel more comfortable.
Landscaping & Lawn
Landscaping has the ability to entirely transform the exterior of your home. That being said, it can also discourage a buyer if the landscaping will be cumbersome to maintain. Finding the right balance can be tricky, but it’s critical to keep your plants, grass and trees well-manicured. Free tasks like re-edging and de-weeding your garden beds are often overlooked by home sellers. And if you are selling in the spring, it is a MUST to spread a new layer of mulch to prevent additional weeds.
Powerwashing
Although you may not think your home’s exterior is visibly dirty, chances are you’ve just gotten used to the look of the gradual accumulation of dirt over time. Thankfully, we all have a very accessible and reasonable option to combat this issue – the powerwasher! Do not underestimate the transformative effects the powerwasher can have on siding, driveways, porches, patios, roofing, and windows. I have had buyers ask my home sellers if they had new siding installed recently – and in some cases the siding was nearly 30 years old! I HIGHLY recommend having your home’s exterior powerwashed wherever it is in need prior to listing your home for sale!
Mailbox, Fencing, & Window Screens
Is your mailbox leaning over and rusted? Do yourself a favor and install a new mailbox! To really make it pop, add a small bush or some plants (I personally like the appearance of ornamental grass).
Ensure your fencing is complete and that all gates/latches are working properly. Not only does it have to look great, but it has to operate flawlessly as well to really leave a lasting impression and cement your home in buyers’ minds.
If you see holes and tears in your window screens, you may want to consider having them rescreened. Rescreening windows is a beginner level task that can be completed by the homeowner at a very low cost per screen with basic tools. In addition, if you do not have newer windows in your house, ripped screens could draw attention to that fact .
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