People like to say that you never get a second chance at making a first impression. This old proverb comes especially true in the world of real estate market. Even though you might refurbish your house to fit all the needs of a modern customer, if you botch your property’s curb appeal, the shadow of the house’s untidy appearance will remain with the visitors. The only way to avoid this common problem is to try to impress your customers from the get-go.
Let us take a look at a couple of ways how this can be achieved.
Put the driveway in order
Most of the visitors that are going to inspect your property will come by with their vehicles. Therefore, the first thing they are going to pay attention to will be the driveway. The first step you should take to make the whole thing much more appealing is to find appropriate equipment and pressure-wash the driveway. From there on, it is highly advised to repair the broken pavers and add a border that will draw a more distinct line of separation from the lawn.
Fix the roof
The roof makes a pretty substantial part of your house. It is also the only part of the building you can’t hide behind various shrubs and hedges. Bottom line, it makes a great deal of curb appeal. So, if you ever notice curling or faded shingles, be sure to fix or replace them. Also, it would be a good idea to give the roof a proper cleaning of any kind of dirt, algae, moss, and lichens. This may prove to be a hefty investment, but it more than pays off in the long run.
Take care of the facade
Once you are done with the roof, it is time to move downwards and give some love to the facade. You have to be aware, though, that bringing the entire exterior of your house in order is a substantial project that requires a lot of additional equipment. For instance, at some point, you will need to rent portable scaffolding to get the job done. The good news is that these expenses are more than manageable, but still, it is highly advised to take them into account before starting the project.
Let there be light!
Remember that not all of the potential buyers will pay a visit to your property during the day – some will come in the late evening hours. Just imagine how disappointed they would be once they discover your property is a dark maze of dangerous obstacles. Instead, do your best to make everything bright and shining. Start with the porch and then move on to the yard’s focal points. Also, it is a good idea to install motion-triggered light fixtures. They are useful and do a lot to improve the safety of the property.
Mow the lawn and trim the hedges
You can take this one as “improving the curb appeal 101.” There is nothing that looks as horrible to potential buyers as untidy lawns and hedges. If you weren’t capable to take care of something as dull as this, there is no way you took proper care of the attic, basement, HVAC system, electrical network and other important parts of the house. Of course, this might not be true, but the buyers will think so, and that is the only thing you should care about now.
Impress with the mailbox
In the world of real estate, a mailbox serves sort of as an owner’s business card. Simply by taking a brief look at it, the visitors will be able to draw a lot of conclusions about the owner and the way the property was maintained. The people who are willing to put a lot of effort into something as simple and mundane as a mailbox tend to appear meticulous, responsible, and trustworthy. Be sure to check this one out.
Install some of the common value-increasing elements
All of the things we are going to cover are no-brainers – people see them, think they’re useful, and they are willing to pay more for the property. Some of the most common staples that are used for this purpose are backyard playgrounds, irrigation systems, sheds, patios, pergolas, barbecues, and outdoor fireplaces. The things like pools and outdoor spas definitely rank on this list, but they may prove to be too big of an investment.
We hope these seven tips gave you some general idea of how you can impress the potential buyers as soon as they set their gaze on your property. The contemporary real estate market is very competitive – if you want to stand out, you need to use every trick in the book.
