Scroll-Stopping Curb Appeal
We have a saying at our brokerage, “If you own a home, you should always be Listing Ready.”
One of the best ways to be ready, is to create great curb appeal.
When buyers begin their home search, it is most likely on-line at sites like Homes.com, Zillow.com, or a custom email link from their buyer’s agent through the local MLS. With first showings occurring on-line instead of in-person, the leading photo on your future listing, will determine if the scrolling-buyer, clicks to see more, or moves to the next listing. Missing that initial click, leads to fewer in-person tours and fewer offers from potential buyers.
While driving through a neighborhood, what catches your eye? It’s likely that the house has great curb appeal. The colors have a strong visual impact. The accessories of the home; house numbers, mailboxes, landscaping, and flowerpots are proper scale to the home. The house looks well maintained, from the roof to the lawn to the sidewalk or street. It makes you wish you could see more.
To have great curb appeal, start with these three steps.
First, focus on color. To have a strong visual impact, three colors are best. If your roof, siding, and doors are all the same hue, consider painting the front door and garage door a stylish and complimentary color. Contrasting flowerpots placed in strategic locations on the porch, by the front door or on the side of the front steps can add the visual impact of color, texture, and height. If another pop-of-color is needed for more appeal, consider a new shade of paint for your window trim or shutters. When it comes to accent colors, black can be a great option.
Second, focus on size. Small, hard-to-read house numbers and tiny mailboxes are a no-no for creating that wow factor. Remove any cursive writing numbers, as they date the home, and many potential buyers can’t read cursive. Install on-trend, larger scale numbers and a coordinating mailbox that is large enough to hold packages. And, when it comes to the welcome mat, biggest is best. If updating any landscaping, it will pay to purchase the next size up here, too. Larger shrubs, more than sapling size trees and larger annuals allow the landscape to look established, not just planted.
Third, focus on maintenance details. If you have a stained roof, hire a service to clean and visually appealing. Make sure gutters are free of debris and that your lawn is weed free. Edging the lawn adds a crispness that is hard to beat if the goal is to increase curb appeal. Remove statuary, signs and other personal yard décor that may limit the number of potential buyers.
When preparing to market your home, or just being Listing Ready for you to enjoy, the investment of a small amount of time and money to improve the curb appeal of your home will pay dividends when it’s time to schedule the listing photographer.