Curb appeal crucial when selling a home
Homeowners who want their homes to make strong first impressions must prioritize curb appeal. Homes with strong curb appeal sell well and can impart a welcoming feel to all visitors.
Improving curb appeal need not be expensive, and the following are a handful of ways to improve the appearance of your home.
Scott Cavinee, broker at SWC Properties in Uniontown, said one of the most important things to pay attention to when selling a home is clutter.
鈥淚 had a house for sale last year that had a blue tarp covering a boat which took up about 25 percent of the front yard,鈥� he said.
鈥淎nd if you have too many lawn ornaments, get rid of them.鈥�
Cavinee also recommended that those with properties with limited parking should consider parking down the street to open up the area more.
鈥淟eave spots open near your home so that it鈥檚 not so obvious,鈥� he said.
Political signs around election time are also a no-no, according to Cavinee.
鈥淚nevitably, someone will not like your candidate, and again, it adds to the clutter around the property,鈥� he said.
Other things to consider are matching blinds in the front windows, clean gutters and no pets tied in the front yard.
鈥淎sk a critical friend to take a look,鈥� Cavinee said. 鈥淪ometimes we become accustomed to our surroundings and can鈥檛 see obvious things.鈥�
Other quick and easy ways to spruce up curb appeal include:
1. Install a bold-looking door in a vibrant color or one with a custom design.
This helps the home stand out from other properties in the neighborhood.
2. Edge the driveway to create a distinct border between the driveway and the lawn or other landscaping features. This helps homes appear neat and well kept.
3. Use outdoor lighting to make a home more inviting. Outdoor lighting also makes properties safer to traverse at night.
4. Clean a home鈥檚 exterior to remove mildew or discolorations from the siding, driveway, patio, and other outdoor elements.
5. Improve landscapes with fresh plants and seasonal color. Homeowners without the time to plant can consider container gardens, which don鈥檛 take much time to assemble but still add appeal to a home鈥檚 exterior.
6. Prune planting beds and add new mulch to restore color.
7. Add shutters and accent trim to a home鈥檚 exterior to improve on the beauty of the house.
8. Install new fencing or give a fresh coat of paint or stain to an existing fence.
9. Replace concrete paths with tile or stone walkways to make entryways more impressive and inviting.
StatePoint Media contributed to this story.