6 Tips to Quickly Boost Your Curb Appeal

Do you remember the feeling you got the first time you saw your house? Were you excited? Full of anticipation? If you’re like most buyers, you were probably attracted to your home’s exterior before you even set foot inside. Now that you’re getting ready to sell, it’s time to ensure that the home hunters who drop by for a tour get that same feeling—and the best way to do that is by boosting your curb appeal.

Fortunately, making the exterior of your house stand out doesn’t have to take a lot of time or money. With a few simple improvements, you can grab the interest of more buyers and start paving the way toward a successful sale.

If you’re about to put your home on the market, try these six quick tips to boost your curb appeal…

1) Add planters

Whether they contain lively greenery or colourful flowers, planters can add instant curb appeal to your home. Carefully-tended vegetation doesn’t just look gorgeous. It also sends the message that your home is well cared-for. There are a few things to consider when you’re browsing your local gardening store. Choose plants that are in season, and think about how they’ll look in your entranceway. Remember that planters of different sizes can add a lot of visual interest to your home!

2) Repaint your front door

Speaking of the entrance to your home, a quick way to refresh your front door is by giving it a new coat of paint. While you can always stick with the colour you’ve used in the past, opting for a more eye-catching hue could make your property more memorable. From cobalt blue to sunshine orange, a vibrant shade that complements your home can really pop—and invite buyers to see what else is in store.

3) Rent a power washer

You’d be amazed at how much old dirt and mildew has almost certainly accumulated around the outside of your home. Fortunately, there’s a cost-effective solution. Pressure washers use highly-concentrated streams of water to lift grime from external surfaces—like your patio, your front steps, and the walkway leading up to your property. You can rent these machines from many home improvement stores at affordable rates. Just one word of warning: pressure washing can damage some surfaces, so be sure to do your homework!

4) Consider using mulch

When you’re creating spring or summer curb appeal, an attractive lawn is crucial. Dead, discoloured, and unkempt grass is a major turnoff for buyers—and it can lead to the assumption that your property hasn’t been properly maintained. One thing many sellers struggle with is sparse patches in their yards. Depending on the placement of these areas, mulch may be the answer. We recommend bark or wood chips—especially cedar, which has a rich colour and pleasant scent.

5) Replace your light fixtures

Your porch lights can contribute to the great first impression your home makes on buyers. From wall sconces to hanging lanterns, there’s no shortage of options to choose from. But whatever style you decide on, make sure it has a simple, modern look. If you’re holding showings around dusk, don’t forget to flip those lights on to welcome buyers—and make it easier for them to find your home.

6) Get a new welcome mat

It’s an incredibly simple way to make your front door look a little bit more polished. If your welcome mat is less than welcoming, replace it with a new one. Whether it’s faded or encrusted with mud, this is the perfect time to toss out that eyesore. Other front-door items that tend to get worn-out include mailboxes and address numbers. That’s why it pays to be as objective as possible when you give your front door the once-over.

Put simply, boosting your curb appeal doesn’t have to be a major pain. With a bit of forethought and a relatively modest budget, you can help ensure that more buyers fall in love with your home at first sight!

Preparing to sell your house? Reach out today to learn how we can help you prepare your property for the market—and get the best return possible!