Curb Appeal Helps to Seal the Deal

Although marketing is important, you can’t forget about a listings’ self-made billboard: its curb appeal factor.

Have you ever had a listing with a spacious layout and up-to-date features on the inside that you just couldn’t move off the market? There is a good chance this property severely lacked curb appeal.

Curb appeal is simply defined as the impression a home gives when someone views it from the street. Not many people want to purchase an unattractive home. With just a little work, a home once considered an ugly duckling can be transformed into the swan of all houses.

Is your listings’ lack of curb appeal stopping you from sealing the deal?

 

Teach Them to Develop a Green Thumb 

Greenery can add life and atmosphere to a front yard. One of the most important things to focus on is the grass. Dying or burnt grass can give the whole property a decaying look. Suggest to clients that they keep their lawn healthy if they want the property to move quickly. 

Shrubs and seasonal flowers can also add life to a front yard. Potted plants are often a good choice because they can easily be replaced or disposed of it they begin to die.

Be sure that all weeds or weed like plants are removed from the front yard. Weeds can give a property a very messy look.
 

Fencing: Keep in the Good Atmosphere

A property’s fence should promote a warm atmosphere. Especially for suburban homes, wooden fences usually provide the warmest look. The wrong metal fence can give the home a cold feel or even make the property look like something out of the Addams Family.

If your client’s fence has chipping paint or is missing links, suggest they repair these simple problems before putting the house on the market.

Paint: A Sight for Sore Eyes, Not an Eye Sore

Although paint is something that can be changed by the home’s new owner, many times it becomes the responsibility of the current seller to make the property attractive enough to sell. If a house’s paint is obviously faded from the sun or chipping, the odds are you should attempt to convince your client to shell out the extra cash and repaint the property. Choose your colors carefully; scout out other homes in the neighborhood. You want to stand out, but only in a positive way. If every other house is white or cream, maybe you’d want to try tan or another pale shade. Painting the house bright blue in a community full of earth tones, isn’t something a potential buyer would appreciate.

If your client can’t afford to repaint the entire house or the property isn’t in need of a complete paint job, take a look at the shutters. The shutters are one thing you can have a little fun with. If the house itself is a very plain color, paint the shutters something slightly more daring to make them stand out.

 
Mr. or Mrs. Clean

When prospective buyers first view the property, you want them to feel like they would be getting a home that is clean and fresh. It doesn’t matter if your house is a 2003 McMansion or a 1960s ranch; you can still give it a fresh and upbeat feeling. 

•  Make sure no trash cans or other garbage is visible on showing days
• Clean out the gutters
• Make sure all the windows are smudge free
•  Polish doorknobs, door knockers, doorbells or any other outdoor fixtures
•  Add a clean welcome mat to the front porch
• Wash or repaint mail boxes, bird baths or statues

The Path to Success

If the driveway has potholes or other damage, it is probably a good idea to suggest that your client have it repaved. People with luxury vehicles don’t want their cars getting damaged in their own driveway and buyers with children also value asphalt for their kids to play basketball and other games.

Is there an official path from the driveway to the front door? Make the entrance way inviting. Make sure brick paths are intact and not missing and pieces. Make sure stone paths are replenished so that the dirt isn’t visible.  
Add borders that separate the path from the lawn or other surrounding areas. This is visually appealing and discourages visitors from ruining your well maintained greenery. For added decor, your client can add a trellis or flowers.

 

Curb Appeal on a Budget

Everyone wants their home to look great on the market, but not every client has the same budget. Here are some tips to make a house have curb appeal without breaking the bank: 

•  If painting the entire house is not in the budget, paint the garage doors and replace the garage fixtures.
•  Add a few lights to the porch or walkway; it can create a whole new atmosphere.
•  Plant a small tree.
•  Don’t hire a landscaper- suggest clients spend a Saturday afternoon gardening with family and friends.
•  If the home has a large porch, add a chair or wind chimes for added decoration.
•  At the very least, make sure EVERYTHING is squeaky clean, even older items can still be polished.
•   Get an inexpensive fountain or build a tiny pond yourself—water will give the property a calming atmosphere.

 No matter how much marketing and advertising you do, no one will buy a house that just isn’t appealing. Your marketing can get prospects to the door, but good curb appeal will help you to seal the deal. Many consumers make judgments on something based on the first glance. Don’t let a lack of curb appeal ruin your sales pitch and marketing efforts.