Spring Tips for Boosting Curb Appeal

Who wouldn’t want to improve their home’s curb appeal?

If you’re trying to sell, boosting the curb appeal can go a long way toward bringing in potential buyers, and in making the strongest possible first impression. And if you’re not planning to sell, boosting curb appeal can help you to take more pride in your home and to enjoy living there more. It’s a win no matter what.

It’s also something you can do in a number of ways—and spring is the best time to get cracking. Warm weather will be here before we know it, so now is ideal for planning and thinking about your spring curb appeal plans. We have some suggestions for you below.

How to Improve Curb Appeal

1. Start with the basics: Make sure everything in your front yard is clean and tidy, especially along your home and along the walkway or driveway leading up to your home. Overgrown or unkempt lawns are a huge turnoff to potential buyers, and make it look like you’re not invested in home maintenance and upkeep. Mow the lawn, prune and trim the bushes, and—if need be—hire somebody to trim back overgrown tree branches.
2. Clearly identify your home by its street number. Invest in some numbering that is bright, elegant, and visible from the street—even when it’s dark outside.
3. Once you’ve cleaned up the lawn, also invest some time in cleaning the home itself. In particular, make note of your siding. Pressure wash or clean it however you can, and if it’s beyond help, maybe start thinking about having your siding replaced. It can totally change the aesthetic of your home.
4. Appraise your front door. Is it beautiful, clean, and colorful? The entry door is often the first thing buyers notice about a home, and replacing the entry door is proven to be one of the best ways to add home value. If your entry door has seen better days, maybe you should look into replacements.
5. Add some tasteful décor to your porch. Even a nice welcome mat makes a huge difference. Some flower pots or hanging plants can be nice, but keep them well watered and maintained. A nice chair or bench can also look good, assuming you have room for it.
6. Rest assured that, while you may not spend much time looking up at your roof, a potential buyer surely will. Take a moment to inspect your roof and look for any missing, loose, or damaged shingles. Repair or replace as needed. This is smart even if you don’t plan on selling the home; a roof inspection can help you uncover any potential issues that need to be addressed.
7. Curb appeal isn’t just about the front of the house, though that’s likely where you want to start. You also want to keep things clean and tidy in the back. Pressure-wash your deck or your back porch, as a start.
8. Plant some colorful flowers in your beds or in stand-alone pots.
9. Open your shutters and blinds, and leave them open! Natural light is a good thing for all concerned. If your windows need cleaning—or replacing—make that a priority.
10. Finally, don’t hesitate to enlist a second set of eyes. Ask a friend or even your real estate agent to look things over and let you know if they see an issue you could address—a stain here, a crack there, a landscaping issue somewhere on the property, et cetera.

Curb appeal is important—and worth investing in this spring.