When the pandemic started a year ago, home sales stopped as everyone stayed home to prevent the spread of the virus. A year later, home prices have risen, and the supply of homes for sale went down. The low supply came after buyers eagerly bought homes due to the low mortgage rates.
Some homeowners are looking to sell their homes to take advantage of the high demand for homes. But before selling, they should increase their home’s curb appeal to increase its value in the market.
Enhancing the home’s curb appeal should also go hand in hand with improving the home’s overall appearance. It wouldn’t sound sensible if homeowners focus on enhancing the interior without improving the exterior. The outside of the home is the first thing potential buyers can see. So, here are some ways people can improve the curb appeal of their homes.
Work on the Landscaping
Homeowners can consistently mow the lawn, maintain the plants, and water the grass. They can also remove grass clippings and cut overgrown bushes to avoid obstructing the view. Planting flowers can also add some color to the lawn. Homeowners can look for flowers that add to the visual appeal of their home.
They should also make sure that it is not challenging to maintain the plants. When they are not easy to maintain, potential buyers may lose interest even if the property looks impressive. Homeowners should be able to maintain the landscape for the whole year.
When winter comes, they can focus on removing dead plants, branches, and leaves scattered all over the yard. If the weather permits it, they should shovel snow and rake leaves to keep the yard clean.
Enhance the Garage Door
Since replacing a garage door is expensive, homeowners can enhance the garage door instead. They can paint it to make it look better. This is particularly true with standard garage doors, which are typically white. Additionally, homeowners can also add details to the garage door, including new handles and hinges.
If homeowners have the budget, they can replace the garage door with something that looks better. But they should make sure it complements the overall look of the house. They can also enhance it to increase its security and keep burglars out.
Highlight the Driveway
The driveway is the welcome mat to the house. Due to this, homeowners should make sure that they work on improving the condition of the driveway. Worn and cracked driveways do not help in increasing the sale price of the home.
Homeowners can work on fixing a cracked driveway to enhance the overall look of the home. But if the driveway does not require a major overhaul, they can highlight it by putting lights or planters along the side.
Improve the Fence
Since the fence goes around the home, it significantly affects the home’s curb appeal. Setting up a suitable fence enhances the overall look of the property. Backyards typically have privacy fences. But for the front yard, homeowners can look for options that add character to the property. They can opt to use wrought iron fences or white picket fences, depending on the home’s design.
Homeowners can also consider adding a double gate to complement the fence they have around the property. Aside from enhancing the appearance of the property, the gates also increase the security of the home.
Clean Up the Yard
Homeowners should make sure the front yard is not cluttered with lawn ornaments or toys. They should make sure to remove them and keep recycling and trash bins out of sight. They should also make sure to park the car inside the garage when they take pictures of the home. With this, they can show that the driveway does not look full, and potential buyers have an unobstructed view of the house.
Homeowners should also clean the yard regularly. They should pick up any broken branches and rake any fallen leaves. Keeping the yard clean makes the home presentable. Checking the gutter for debris and leaves is also important to prevent flooding in the basement of the house.
Homeowners should also clean the siding of the home in between seasons. Grime and dirt typically accumulate in these areas. They can power wash the siding along with the porch, pavement, carport, and deck. If a power washer is not available, they can hire a professional to clean these areas of the house. They can also add a fresh coat of paint to enhance the exterior of the home further.
Enhancing the curb appeal of a home increases its value and makes it appealing to potential buyers in the market.
