If you are preparing to list your home for sale, you must not underestimate the power of your home’s curb appeal to draw in potential buyers. Most buyers claim that they decide on a house before stepping foot in the front door. That means that how you present your home from the outside is as important as your interior preparations.
You want your home to stand out from all the others on the market in your area. Buyers may see dozens of homes before finding a property that is right for them. How you prepare your home could mean the difference between a fast sale and a listing that stays on the market for months.
Potential buyers are interested in seeing homes with well-maintained exteriors. You won’t draw much interest from buyers if your lawn is uncut, your garden is full of weeds, and your siding is dirty. Let’s take a closer look at a few tips to help you make your house ready for selling.
Lawn Maintenance
Many sellers wait until the winter weather has passed to prepare their homes for sale. In the spring, it’s essential to focus on your lawn maintenance. Pay special attention to balding spots on your lawn and brown areas, and ensure they are properly seeded and fertilized. While your home is on the market, you should have a regular mowing schedule at least once a week, so your lawn always looks its best.
Powerwashing
Over time, every home builds up a layer of grime on the exterior. If you are getting ready to sell your home, now is the time to pull your power washer out of the garage. Give your siding, brick, foundation, and eaves a good wash and bring out your home’s natural shine. Don’t forget to powerwash your patios, driveways, and steps.
Landscaping
There is no need to go overboard with your landscaping when preparing to sell your home. If you have existing gardens and landscape features, the key is to make sure they are clean, trimmed, and neat. It’s good to weed out all of your garden beds, rid them of leaves from the fall, and put down a fresh layer of mulch. If you have walkways or a patio, you should pull all the weeds and make sure they are freshly edged. A few bright spring flowers around your entrance can visually impact potential buyers.
Paint
If your home hasn’t been repainted in over ten years, it may be worth the cost to have someone come in and give it a new coat. You don’t need to choose a new color, but having a fresh coat of paint can give new life to your home. If you want to stand out from your competition, you can consider painting your front or garage door in a brighter accent color.
Lighting
Many potential home buyers do their initial home searches by driving around neighborhoods in the evenings. If you want to draw attention to your home, it’s a good idea to add additional lighting. Single or multiple spotlights on your exterior will make it easier to see from the street. Garden and path lighting can bring out the charm in your property.
If you are thinking about listing your home on the market this year, follow these tips to help you prep the exterior of your home for sale.
