Saturday, April 6, 2013

Just How Big a Deal is Curb Appeal?




         We've all seen the television show.  They find a worthy family, take their dilapidated, practically  falling down house, and Voila! They replace it with a mansion -- in just a few days. Or from our point of view, in an hour.  It's a fun show to watch, with extraordinary results and the opportunity for a good cry.
          If you're so inclined.
         
Yeah....
          It would be nice to be able to spend a few days and replace your house with a mansion.  And let someone else pay for it. Really nice.  Here in this little place we call the "real world", we're just trying to make the house we have look amazing.
          Here are a few tips for your Not-So-Extreme-Home-Makeover.


                 
          Everyone knows what "curb appeal" is.
          And we know what it isn't.
          Unlike a lot of real estate terms that are thrown around with abandon, curb appeal is pretty self-explanatory.  Consider the above photo.  Chances are pretty good that if that house had a "For Sale" sign in front of it, no one would make an appointment.
            Curb appeal makes the buyer want to come inside.
            If you’re the seller, you want that. A lot.
            Here's the good news.  Enhancing your curb appeal does not mean you have to spend a lot of money. Or make your house look like a mansion.  Curb appeal lies in the little stuff -- the details you probably don't even notice anymore.
            
Curb Appeal is For Everyone!

            Now that it's finally here, Spring is a great time to take a good long look at your home -- even if selling is not in your plans.  Your home is ... well, your homeDressing up your house is kind of like dressing yourself up for an evening out. It just makes you feel good.
            And you'll be surprised at how many little things can be done to improve the exterior of your home for just about the price of a new outfit and an elegant dinner.  

Say Cheese…   
      
            If you've read this blog before, you've probably figured out that cameras are one of my favorite tools.  And favorite toys. Even if you're not a camera nut like me, there's something about a picture that helps to distance you from a subject.  And if that subject just happens to be a house you're very familiar with, a picture is the quickest way for you to see what a stranger might see.
           To begin your Not-So-Extreme-Home-Makeover, take several pictures of the exterior of your house and take a moment to study them.  Does the trim seem faded or dirty, does the siding need a bath? Have the shrubs grown up over the front windows?
            At this time of year, you're probably seeing what most of us would see -- the end of a hard winter.  The flowerbeds look shabby and tired, the siding and/or brick needs to be power-washed to remove the residue of rain and snow and ice and mud and ...
             Have I mentioned how much I love Spring?

Love At First Sight


            A buyer’s first impression of your home often centers on the front door. If your house is beautiful, but the front door is peeling or faded or damaged or just plain ugly ... well, you get the idea.  It's like a gorgeous model showing up on the red carpet in a stained, torn dress.  You know she's beautiful, but it's kind of hard to look away from the stain.
            Adding pizzazz to the front of your house can be as easy as painting the door.  If paint won't fix the problem, you can replace it for as little as $100.  Brighten things up with a snazzy new color, polish the hardware and clean the glass.  Be sure you clean the casing around the door while you’re at it.  You’ll be amazed at how much this one simple and cheap step can improve your home’s appearance.
            Before you shop for paint colors for your door, you'd better look with an unbiased eye at your siding, brick, trim and guttering.  Most of the time, it will look fresh and clean with a simple power wash but if it's been several years, it might be time to paint.  Paint is your home's protection against the elements, so don't put it off.  Delaying will only cause more maintenance down the road.
            
Accessorize, Accessorize....
           

            Ideally, you want your home to have that "Wow!" factor that sets it apart from other homes in the neighborhood. Depending on the style of your home, shutters or window boxes might be just the touch you need.  Either option is relatively inexpensive, easy to install yourself and can be done in a weekend.  There’s nothing quite like window boxes overflowing with flowers to add charm to your home's exterior.
           And to charm a potential buyer.
            It's easy to overlook the driveway and walkways but if the surface is cracking and weeds are sprouting through, it can ruin the look of your home.  Spend a little time killing weeds and filling cracks.  You can even use bricks or flagstones to add a walkway or to widen the parking space you have.  They’ll add an elegant touch to what is usually just a boring slab of gray.
           
Bring Me Flowers!

           


            There was a time when having flowers in the front of your house meant a lot of extra work, weeding and mulching and weeding again.  Fortunately, we live in 2013.  Container gardening is a great way to add a splash of welcoming color to the front of your house without all the hassle. You can buy containers already overflowing with flowers at any garden shop or nursery.   Fill your porch with color.  With a little water, it will look beautiful all summer. 
            Of course, if you really want to bring me flowers....
        
Shave and a Haircut

            I know I don't need to tell you that your lawn and flowerbeds need to be trimmed and neat and tidy.  In addition to the basics however, there are several simple things you can do to improve the landscaping without spending your life's savings.
            Build a new flower bed or simply clean out the old ones and start over.  It's astonishing how much new plants and a new design will update the look of your home.  If you don't feel qualified to decide on a new design, your local nursery will happily supply you with ideas.  
            Landscaping is the not-so-secret key to making your house the most attractive house on the block.  But one word of caution here. As much as landscaping will improve the look of your home, it sadly doesn't add any money to an appraiser's determined value, so bear that in mind when you're planning.  

Set boundaries

            Sometimes a little definition is in order. Fencing can do much more than keep the dog and kids in the yard. Make sure any existing fencing is straight and clean and the gates are working properly.  If you don’t have fencing, consider adding some.  You don’t have to completely fence the yard to change the look of your house.  Adding vinyl fencing and a gate that stretches from the side of your house to the property line will accomplish the same thing for a fraction of the cost. 

            Another great way to add definition is to give your mailbox a makeover. This might be as simple as buying a new mailbox at your local hardware store or planting a small ring of flowers around the base of the mailbox you already own. Whatever you choose to do, make sure it matches the style of your home.  Your mailbox should be an extension of your home’s overall appearance.
            Outdoor lighting is another dramatic and effective way to add interest to your home.  Luckily, you can accomplish this without extensive wiring.  Solar lighting is not as bright, but can still add accents to landscaping or trees at little cost.

The Bottomline

            If you’re willing to set a few weekends aside, everything on this list could be accomplished for a few hundred dollars.  And the payoff is not only enhanced curb appeal for your potential buyers.  It’s a new sense of pride in your home.
            And of course, the envy of your neighbors.

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