Now that you’ve decided to sell, you want your home to stand out from the rest starting at the curb. Here are several things to think about when drawing your buyer to the front door.
Maintenance:
- Trim back all bushes and trees. You want to show off the house and not look like you’ve slacked on maintenance.
- Clear away all weeds and overgrown vines. Especially if vines are attached to the house.
- Remove all reminders of up keep and toys; hoses, rakes, bikes, garbage cans, etc.
- Mow and edge. It’s important to look clean and tidy.
- If you have bricks or pavers that need replacing, do it now.
- If there’s landscape lighting, check to make sure all bulbs are working and clean.
- Power wash the porch area and remove all webs or nests that may have collected.
- If you have standing dirt where grass should be, add sod squares.
- If you have a fence panel that needs repair. It’s important to make the repair.
- If you’ve not ever added bushes or plants, do it now and planting trees in the front or on the side go a long way in the look of the home.
Appeal:
After accomplishing the list above, now it’s time to look better than your neighbors. When the buyers drive down the street, you want them to see your home and hope that is the one they’re looking at.
- Replace any dead or dying bushes
- Add flowers and fresh mulch to beds where possible
- Add pots or flowers by the doorway if you have room.
- If you have old or rusty light fixtures, spray paint or replace them.
- If you need to paint the front door, now’s the time. Consider a pop of color if it allows.
- Purchase a new door mat.
- Look closely at the door knob and replace it if needed.
- If you need to power wash the brick or siding, please do.
- If the outside of the house looks worn and needs to be painted. It’s important to do so.
- If you have room to add seating, that would be nice. But only if there’s room.