First impressions don’t always last, but their impact can play a big part in the decision-making aspect of basically anything you can imagine. It can be applied to situations such as meeting new people, trying new food, or looking for a new home that a person will potentially be spending their life in.
Image by David Mark
Knowing the significance of first impressions on people can help you when you’re planning to sell your home. This is because while you can be a responsible homeowner who keeps everything inside in tiptop shape, the outside condition of your house might prove otherwise.
You might not think that elevating your house’s curb appeal is important, but that is the first thing your potential buyers will see. And they might not be inclined to continue inside or see what you’re offering if the outside looks completely weathered and disheveled.
So if you plan to sell your house soon, putting some money into renovations and upgrades that can add value to your property can be a worthwhile expense. There are plenty of places where you can begin your renovation, but prioritizing these four areas can easily increase your house’s curb appeal:
Landscaping
Houses with spacious front or backyards are like rare jewels that should be treated with care. Not many people are fortunate to have a home with that much outdoor space, so you should give it the maintenance it deserves.
This can mean having your space curated by a landscaping expert. You can exert minor effort, such as trimming the bushes and making sure that there are no bald spots on the grass, or you can go the extra mile and pull out all the stops.
This is not to say that you should have topiaries lining your driveway, particularly if it’s a small one. But doing some landscaping never hurts anyone, especially not if it shows the potential homebuyers that your yard received all the love you can give it as you lived in that house.
Fencing
Most dream homes are detailed with white picket fences that surround the perimeter. While fencing can make any house appear more maintained and pristine, that’s not the only reason why people are inclined to put a barrier between them and the outside world.
Break-ins and theft are all too common situations that can no longer be ignored. Creating a fence that can keep the thieves away from your house can provide an additional layer of protection to those living inside the house. This is why putting up a fence on your property can add value.
Of course, there are plenty of other materials that can be used for fencing besides white pickets. You can choose to go with more durable materials such as steel or aluminum if you’re not a fan of wood. Just make sure to get the matching aluminum driveway gates so that your house can look well-thought-out.
Driveway
The path leading up to your garage doors also has the potential to attract homebuyers, specifically if it’s well-maintained. Most driveways are made out of concrete or asphalt, but you can take it to another level by creating a stone-paved path that can give a unique character to your home.
Think of it as a patio, only instead of a small space in your backyard, you will be doing it to your driveway and use it every time you leave with your car. Doing this won’t take too much time and effort, especially if you’re going to work with a contractor.
But if you want to turn this into a DIY project, make sure to research what materials you must use to make it as smooth and compact as you can. You might also need to get yourself a bottle of weed spray because those seem to turn up whenever there are cracks on the pavement.
Porch
Finally, before your potential homebuyers set foot inside your house, they will first have to pass through your front porch. This entryway can be a deal-breaker for some individuals, particularly if the paint is peeling, the foundation is degrading, and the porch itself seems to be falling apart.
Of course, that is an exaggeration because no person in their right mind will think of selling a house in that condition, but you can never be too sure. Your front porch has the potential to make an aspiring homeowner imagine the kind of life they are going to have in that house.
To uphold whatever ideal home your buyers might have, you can replace your lights with lamp fixtures that can easily bring character to the house. A fresh coat of paint and making sure that there are no splinters that can pose a safety hazard might also nudge you towards the right direction.
Prepping your house for a sale can be difficult, not because you’re not ready to part with it, but because what you love about your house may not be what the next owners will love about it. This means that you will have to raise your standards to become level with the kind of homes currently being sold in the market.
