The Importance Of Curb Appeal(This probably is not the first article you have read about the importance of adding curb appeal to your home if you are thinking about or actively selling. It’s true, with the market relinquishing more and more control over to buyers, a seller must do what he or she can to make the property stand out amongst a sea of similar products.)
The problem, however, when many homeowners begin to add curb appeal to their house is that they do not go about it the right way and this could actually make your house less sellable than if you did nothing. Broderick Perkins explains how to add professional curb appeal that will attract any potential buyer, in his article, “Putting Zeal In Your Curb Appeal,” posted November 7, 2006 in Realty Times.
The reason for curb appeal is that you want to create or evoke an emotional response in the buyer that allows them to imagine actually living. You’re golden if they start planning where the couch or television would go.
“Experts advise, more like a home improvement or exterior staging job than a cosmetic makeover, curb appeal that sings is particularly crucial now that more and more buyers are calling the shots.”
You want your home to look like it is a model that has never been lived in before. There is nothing worse for a buyer than to move into a place that has marks or stains of previous owners. The buyer wants it to be their house and their house only.
In order to create this professional appearance you need to pay close attention to every detail in the house.
First you need new paint.
“There's nothing like a fresh coat of paint to begin to give your home that ‘newly built’ look, provided you don't rush the job. Choose a contemporary color scheme that doesn't clash with the neighborhood, but sets your home apart.
Don’t be lazy while renovating your home’s appearance. This means that you should strip the old paint away and not merely add a new coat over the old. The old cracks and peels will show up.
Now it’s time for new landscaping.
“Well-manicured landscaping is the frame for your home's curb appeal. The approach should be tidy, simple, healthy landscaping that's proportional to your home. Know how your landscaping will appear once it’s matured. From a practical sense, the plants and trees provide shade and passive cooling as they control erosion and pollution. They also provide privacy, especially if it's a single-level home adjacent to two-story houses.”
The next thing to create curb appeal is sometimes advised against by real estate agents because it can be pricy, but if you really want to have your house looking new, you will need to replace the roof and gutters.
“Today's roofs can add contrasting color and textures to your home's look. Affordability comes with multi-dimensional composition asphalt shingles in decorator colors. For something cheaper than the real thing, but just as unique, try simulated slate shingles to turn a bland tract home into a more appealing abode.”
Also pay attention to the pavement surrounding the house. A new black, lacquered driveway and sidewalk can really create a sleek appearance.
And don’t forget about the doors and windows.
“Purposeful portals should make visitors feel welcome. New double doors, new energy-efficient windows framed with shutters, sectional garage doors with half moon or other interesting windows, all add the final curb appeal touches.”
There are a variety of ways to create curb appeal for your property. However, the more competitive the market, the more effort you will have to put in to create your curb appeal.
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