Listing Your House Part 2: Curb Appeal

First impressions are everything! Do not underestimate the curb appeal of your home. Many people will look at the thumbnail picture of your house online, or drive by, before they request a showing. If the outside of your house isn’t up to par, potential buyers will not give it the chance to prove itself with its interior.

Make sure that the grass is trimmed. A well-manicured lawn is one of the easiest things you can do to show a buyer that you take the time to maintain the home. Buyers want to picture their kids playing in the yard, and their family having cookouts or pool parties. Mowing your lawn, although sometimes tedious, is well worth the time and effort. It shows that the house is lived in and loved.

Invest in the landscaping of the house. Pull any weeds in the front flowerbeds, and lay down some new mulch. Home inspectors suggest that mulch shouldn’t come within twelve inches of the foundation. Laying crushed stone in a twelve inch skirt around the house will not only impress future home inspectors and buyers, but it will protect the foundation and house from any damage. Putting stone against the foundation of your house eliminates the accessibility of your house to insects. Edge the flowerbeds so that they really stand out and demand attention. If necessary, plant new colorful perennials to make your house look more like a home.

Trim back shrubs. Just like the mulch, home inspectors like to see that trees and shrubs don’t come within twelve inches of the house. Potential buyers like to see full, healthy shrubs in front of the house; it’s less work that they will need to do upon moving in.

Walk around and inspect any fences that your property may have. Fix any loose or missing sections of fence, and if necessary, touch up the paint, or give it a nice new coat of paint or stain. Fences are a big expense, so accentuate the benefit an already present fence brings to your property.

What condition is your driveway in? Does it need a new sealcoat? Sweeping or power washing this part of your property will only enhance your curb appeal that much more.

Giving the siding to your house a quick power wash isn’t a bad idea. Pressure washers can be rented, or special nozzles that attach to your hose can be purchased from your local hardware retailer. This will make your siding look brand new and get rid of any dirt or mildew residue that may be present on your house.

If necessary, update the mailbox area, house numbers and the front door area. These quick do it yourself projects really add a lot of bang for your buck.

If you are selling your house in the winter, make sure your driveway and walkways are plowed or shoveled out. Also, make sure that you have laid down plenty of rock salt so that buyers coming to tour your house don’t slip on their way in or out. Although you may not regularly shovel the front walkway, it isn’t a bad idea to start when your house is on the market. Visitors to your house won’t know where to look for a potential walkway unless you show them.

Take these steps, and you will be on your way to selling your home!

Are you ready to list your house? Contact Stephanie Graham at Mathieu Newton Sotheby's International Realty. ph: 774.293.0407 email: stephanie.graham@sothebysrealty.com