2021 saw record prices on homes, and people still bought around 6.12 million houses. Granted, there are signs that the market is cooling off a little. You can thank rising interest for that.
Even so, people will keep wanting to buy and sell homes. Home prices may not drop as far as people expect, either, with an approximate 3.8 million house shortage.
If you want to sell your home, though, you must still put some effort into boosting the curb appeal of your home and property. Keep reading for some key ways you can boost your home’s curb appeal.
Make Minor Repairs
When you live in a home, you often make the choice to put off even minor repairs until the money situation improves, the weather gets nicer, or you just have more time. If you want to sell your home fast, you can’t do that anymore.
If possible, focus on low-cost, high-visibility repairs. For example, did your teenager damage the mailbox while learning how to back out of the driveway? Make it a Saturday project to replace that mailbox.
It’s highly visible because the mailbox is literally on the curb. So, potential buyers will notice it.
Is one of your front porch steps damaged? It’s time that you did something about that. While a potential buyer might overlook damage on the back steps, they’ll definitely notice damage on the front ones.
Other small repairs you should watch out for include chipped paint, ripped window screens, and burned-out light bulbs.
Clean Things Up
The exterior of your home suffers from exposure to everything in the air. That doesn’t just mean rain or snow, but also all the dirt, dust, and road grime. It adds up over time.
Get out your garden hose and give everything a thorough washing. You might find yourself surprised at how nice your home looks with clean siding.
If your garden hose can’t quite muster the power to get the job done, you can always rent a power washer. Those can generally knock loose anything the hose can’t get.
If you do rent a power washer, though, make sure you have a handle on operating it safely. A power washer can potentially damage siding or windows if you mishandle it.
Paint
Don’t underestimate the power of paint to help boost your home’s curb appeal. Even a little bit of paint can go a long way. For example, a fresh coat of paint on your fence or gate can give your whole front lawn a fresh appeal.
Painting your front door is another great option. It’s front and center, which means it will draw the eye. When in doubt, stick with a white, off-white, or slate-blue color.
These are very common front door colors, so they won’t violate expectations. Yet, you still get the value of the door looking all but brand new.
Other areas where a fresh coat of paint can do a lot include window frames, door frames, porches, and shutters.
Landscaping
Landscaping is one of those areas where it’s very easy to go overboard, but there are some safe bets. First things first, get your lawn professionally mowed and edged. It’ll give your home a clean, well-kept appearance.
If you have flower beds, put some plants in them. Steer clear of flowering plants, though, since you can’t know if potential buyers will have allergies.
If you don’t have flower beds, don’t put them in. Instead, install some window boxes and plant in those instead. They can give your home a cozy look, and you still get the benefit of adding some greenery.
For homes with trees and shrubs, make sure you have them pruned and trimmed in advance of any house tours or open house events.
Attend Your Gutters
In all of the hustle and bustle that goes along with showing and selling a home, more than one homeowner has overlooked their gutters. Make a point of cleaning out those gutters.
Beyond that, though, make sure you clean the inside and outside of the gutters. You don’t necessarily need them shining, but you don’t want any dirt or debris on them to draw the eye. It can give the entire home an untidy look.
Update Your Exterior Light Fixtures
Styles among lighting fixtures don’t come and go with the same speed as a lot of interior decorating trends, but they do change over time. Unless you’re specifically going for a retro or vintage look, give your exterior lighting fixtures a once-over.
Do they look dated or out of place in the neighborhood? Are they consistent with the style of the rest of the house? If not, it’s time for an upgrade.
You can find exterior-grade lighting fixtures at any home improvement store and, in most cases, even search for and order them online. If you’re at all handy with DIY projects and understand electrical safety, it’s even a project you can potentially do yourself.
New Hardware
Much like your exterior lighting, the hardware on your doors can start looking dated or out of place as well. The good news is that most door hardware is pretty standard these days.
That standardization lets you swap out the old hardware for new hardware without the need for drilling new holes for hinges or boring out new holes for the latch bolt or deadbolt. Again, it’s a project that handy homeowners can DIY with a little prep and a couple of spare hours on a weekend.
Boosting Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Boosting your home’s curb appeal isn’t all about making sweeping changes to your home. In many ways, it’s about making small changes that create the right impression.
You can start with simple things like basic landscaping and adding window boxes. Do minor repairs you’ve put off, such as fixing your mailbox or ripped window screens.
Give the whole exterior a wash with a hose or power washer. Get out your paintbrush or rollers for the front door and window frames.
WeBuyHousesMemphis will help you sell your home fast. For more information or to get started, contact WeBuyHousesMemphis today.