9 Easy Ways to Boost Your Curb Appeal

Boost Your Curb Appeal to Sell Fast

In real estate we all know the importance of first impressions. Great photographs of your real estate listing are crucial, but before the day of the shoot, you have to make sure the home has maximum curb appeal. This will translate into the type of shots that lead potential homebuyers to love your home and motivate them to place higher offers on it. 

Well-done, professional photographs can draw a potential homebuyer to your property, but if they step out of their car and see something that is less than picture perfect in real life, they’re likely going to stop there. That is why it is critical that the seller maximizes the home’s curb appeal for the initial photography work then keeps it maintained throughout the listing period. 

Pro Tips to Enhance Your Curb Appeal

As you get ready to list your property on the market and are preparing to line up your real estate photographer, there are a few things that you can easily do to ensure that your home really pops when it comes to curb appeal. Here at Northern Virginia Real Estate Photography, we are seasoned pros when it comes to presenting homes in their best light. Take a look at our top 9 tips for enhancing curb appeal:

• Apply fresh paint in a updated color scheme: Nothing screams lack of care like peeling paint on siding, trim, and doors. The best pictures will do nothing but highlight the bad if new paint is way past due. At least make sure a fresh coat of paint is on all doors and windows. However, that may simply cause problems elsewhere to stand out, so be sure to consider the entire situation. New paint in a modern color scheme could make your listing sell faster and return the painting expense with a higher final sales price.
• Refresh the front entrance: Spruce up your entryway with a newly painted front door and bright new hardware to make a good first impression. Check the lighting fixtures at the front door for an opportunity for quick and cost-effective curb appeal. If they’re dated, you can upgrade to newer ones without spending a fortune. As a final touch, consider potted plants, shrubs, or flowers. 
• Check your mailbox: It is often overlooked, but a simple mailbox can be an easy way to give a pop of color and show that a home has been lovingly and carefully maintained. Make sure you have a new, unblemished, USPS-approved mailbox. If your box is at the end of the sidewalk, check the area around it. Is it fresh, cute and inviting? Create a small space around the mailbox for planting then place some flowers that are in season and currently blooming for an instant pop of color.
• Update the landscaping: The landscaping around the front of your home can have the strongest impact of all possible updates.  Make sure any hedges or plants are trimmed to present a well-manicured look. Of course all weeds have to be removed. Fresh mulch in flower beds and around shrubs can provide an instant facelift to your house and landscaping. If your property does not have clearly defined borders, consider installing new stonework or landscape border material. Having a professional landscaper do a quick update on the front of the property is usually money well spent.
• Get some shutter appeal: If your windows don’t have shutters or the shutters are dated or worn, this is another easy route to a strong first impression. Shutters come in a variety of materials including wood, aluminum, vinyl, and composite, making it easy to match your home’s theme and style. Determine your budget and then decide on the materials that will work best for you.
• Repair gutters and downspouts: Old or clogged gutters can cause expensive damage to a home and they can also be very unsightly. When you get an offer on the house, gutters that are not in good shape will likely be discovered and noted during the buyer’s inspection so you might as well to get that out of the way ahead of time. You will improve the appearance of the property and score a great selling point.
• Spruce up the driveway: Cracks in the driveway are not only ugly, they also send the message that the homeowner may not have taken proper care of the rest of the property. Cracks can be repaired so your driveway looks brand new without having to redo the driveway completely. You can also widen the driveway by adding pavers or flagstones to the sides. This looks very polished and is far less expensive than trying to do new concrete or asphalt.
• Be sure the walkway is welcoming: Another area that affects curb appeal is the walkway from the driveway to the front door. All walkways should be clean and neatly edged, and some flanking landscaping and/or lighting adds a nice touch. Lit walkways make a house look amazing in twilight photos. If your walkway needs to be redone, consider going with flagstone to add a nice modern touch.
• Clean up the yard: Get all toys and other household items or gardening supplies are out of sight. While cleaning the yard, porch, and driveway, consider doing a deep cleaning on the house. A pressure washer will take built up dirt and grime off of the siding, brick, or veneer.

The Simple Touches Matter Most

Never skimp on the details when trying to get a house ready to go on the market. Simple things like a new doormat, a wreath or other decorative element on the front door, and a few potted plants can do a lot to improve a property’s appearance. Studies have shown that even small adjustments to decor can have major effects on buyer psychology.

If you are a real estate agent, one of the first steps to take with new clients is to help them get their home curb appeal ready. This list should give you some great ideas to start with, or you can contact Northern Virginia Real Estate Photography for input on how to maximize curb appeal for the best listing photographs and a faster sale. 

Produced by Northern Virginia Real Estate Photography

571-377-8681 * 757-348-3402 * bryant@novarealestatephoto.com