UNITED STATES, Sep 26 — When it comes time to sell a home, buyers sometimes get complacent and make the mistake of incorrectly assuming the matter is out of their hands entirely. Selling a house is not simply a matter of calling a real estate professional and handing the job off to them. There are many steps you can take to improve the curb appeal and encumber the unique and compelling character of your home.
-Remove dead leaves and garden refuse
W
hen it comes time to sell a home, buyers sometimes get complacent and make the mistake of incorrectly assuming the matter is out of their hands entirely. Selling a house is not simply a matter of calling a real estate professional and handing the job off to them. There are many steps you can take to improve the curb appeal and encumber the unique and compelling character of your home. By being a proactive homeowner you can help to ensure you get the best possible ROI (return on investment) for your home.
Much of what you can do are quick fixes that do not take a great deal of time or energy; other projects require a little more elbow grease and, in some cases, even a nominal but worthwhile expenditure. Low lighting along walkways and along garden perimeters will improve the evening appeal of your home and add a tasteful ambiance to your landscaping during late evening or at night; a decorative standing light or porch fixture can add a welcoming touch of warmth and recognition; cleaning clutter can vastly improve overall appearance and attractibility.
For your convenience, here are a handful of simple outdoor maintenance tips and repairs you can do to increase the curb appeal of your home:
-Remove mold, moss and mildew on the house itself and on sidewalks, roofs, or on driveways.
-Take out that awkward, though well intentioned bit of landscaping or garden feature that you feel "never quite worked the way you wanted it to". Knowing when to add landscape elements to enhance, or when to remove highlights that detract from the overall curb appeal of your home is important.
-Try to view your home from the road when walking and/or driving past to get a sense of how a potential buyer may view it. Conversely, you might try taking a few photos of your home (preferably in black and white as it tends to show more of the telling details that can get lost in color) and analyze them objectively. Look for areas that "stick out" from the overall presentation.
-Clean up corners and edges that are laden with clutter -- move/clean up stacked and stored materials that are piled against the house.
-Clean windows and gutters.
-Prune trees for shape and presentation, tying them in to the overall architecture and design of your yard. Remove branches that are encroaching upon or actually touching the roof and siding. Remove branches, leaves and garden refuse.
-Pressure wash siding and decks.
-Apply a fresh coat of paint or stain to decks, entryways, shutters and to window casings that are chipped or worn.
-Mend and paint fences or landscape highlights.
-Edge sidewalks to ensure clean, crisp lines and pluck weeds that are protruding from cracks in bricks and concrete and from borders and ties.
-Patch cracks and fissures in cement walks or asphalt driveways.
-Plant flowers to add a tasteful splash of color.
-Keep the lawn trimmed and weeds curtailed.
-Remove dead leaves and garden refuse.
-Cut, trim or remove altogether, shrubs, trees and bushes that obscure windows or architectural highlights.
Communicate directly with Lauren Spencer, the author of this article. Ask questions, send suggestions, comments, engage in conversation, or perhaps you would like to submit a project.
Click Here to ask a question, send a comment, or proposal.
You’ve found your perfect house and you are ready to make an offer. You sit down with your agent and decide on a price that seems fair given the condition of both the house and the local real estate market. You spend up to an hour deciding on y
Moving day is a double-edged sword for families because it can be both exciting and tedious, especially when you have children who are restless and have mixed feelings about leaving their old home. Here are some things you can do to make moving easie
Thanks to the explosion of T.V. shows featuring ambitious real estate investors quickly renovating run down homes for a pretty profit, it seems that everyone these days is trying their hand at house flipping. However, as is true for most things, it&r
What makes a condominium or apartment building truly amazing is not just its unique features, but also its usability and the desire people have to live within the building, long term. Below are four examples of amazing condos or apartment buildi
Puerto Vallarta’s calendar is always brimming over with events and shows which range from food festivals to fund raisers, sports to festivals. So it doesn’t come as a surprise to know that expats in Puerto Vallarta love the town so much.
Tunisia’s emerging real estate opportunities are quietly making an impact, as growing numbers of buyers begin to discover the attractions of this truly unique market. Having been relatively overlooked in the few years the market has been open t
Puerto Vallarta real estate industry is booming because of the many attractions and beautiful beaches in this lovely resort community. While the Puerto Vallarta Real Estate market is wonderful for vacationers and buyers, it is also a great way for pr
Most people find it difficult to buy their home as they are not in a financial condition to afford it. If you are looking for a new home and if you don’t have enough money to make your purchase then you can apply for a home mortgage loan with which y
For those who see themselves as a novice in real estate, the idea of taking that first step into real estate investment can be an extremely confusing and daunting time. Many of those who look to join this field may have found the perfect investment t
You’ve found your perfect house and you are ready to make an offer. You sit down with your agent and decide on a price that seems fair given the condition of both the house and the local real estate market. You spend up to an hour deciding on y
Searching for a place to live in Santa Cruz can be difficult, especially if you are looking for a place that is going to suitable for not just yourself, but your family as well. Santa Cruz offers a variety of neighborhoods and communities. When looki
Santa Cruz and area golf courses offer peaceful retreats, golf instruction, challenging courses, fine dining, and top-notch meeting facilities. If you are looking to buy a home near a golf course in the Santa Cruz area, read on for helpful golf cours
Over time, our homes accumulate more items than we could ever need. It can be hard to throw away certain items and before we know it, the home becomes cluttered with things that we no longer have uses for. Luckily, there is always someone who wants w
When moving to a new community, many things must be taken into consideration. If you are unfamiliar with the area, performing a bit of background research is important in ensuring that you find a suitable neighborhood. Even if you are only reloc
Syndication
tweet
PDF version
Printable version
Publisher HTML version
Discussions (0)
Email Article
Post New Comment