If you’ve ever watched more than five minutes of an HGTV show, you’ve heard the term “curb appeal.”
If you aren’t sure what it means, it’s pretty much exactly like it sounds – it’s how the property, from the curb to the roof, looks to someone standing on the street and looking at it.
Why Curb Appeal Matters
Curb appeal is like a first impression and is especially important if you’re selling your home. If the house has old, chipped paint and tons of overgrown plants, potential home buyers may get the wrong idea…like that your house is haunted.
Making sure to keep up the outside appearance is often listed as one of the most important things a home seller can do to sell their home quickly and for top dollar.
Even if you aren’t selling your home, having a house that looks nice on the outside will make you feel good when you drive up to it after a long day at work. It will also keep your HOA and neighbors happy, which if you live in a neighborhood with an HOA, you know how important that is!
Nobody wants to pay extra fees because they left their trash cans out and forgot to pull weeds.
What Goes into Curb Appeal?
There’s actually a lot that goes into curb appeal. Yes, it includes landscaping, but there is more to it than that. Here are some examples:
Front Door: You want to make sure your door reflects the style of the home and is in good condition. Front door décor has become very trendy lately, and some homebuyers have even said that the style of the front door has been a deciding factor in their purchase. Suppose your front door isn’t giving the impression you’d like. In that case, you may consider installing a decorative wrought iron security door or a larger, more modern door that makes your home stand out.
Siding & Trim: Siding should last for 20 years or more before needing to be replaced but depending on the material, should be repainted every five years or so. Certain materials, like brick or cement fiberboard, lasts even longer and requires little to no maintenance. In any case, if siding and trim are not maintained, it can give the impression that the inside of the home won’t be either.
Roof: You want your roof to be clean and in good condition. This isn’t just so the house looks good. It’s also so the roof will last and keep your home protected. Typical asphalt roof shingles should last 10-20 years or longer. If you have never replaced your roof, chances are the time is coming, so you may want to have a professional look at it.
Color: Color makes the house look happy and cheerful, making for a great first impression. Having decorative pots with flowers or a fun-colored front door is a great way to add color to your front yard.
General State of Upkeep: Keeping up your home’s curb appeal does not need to take a lot of time out of your day. As long as you replace or repair things as they come up, it will be easy to stay on top of. Broken windows, chipped paint, dead flowers – these are all things you want to avoid. As we begin to emerge from winter, make sure to replant anything that didn’t survive the freezing temperatures. If you have a broken window, get it replaced as soon as possible. You get the idea!
Of course, nothing ups your curb appeal game like remodeling your home. When you’re ready to make your home the envy of the neighborhood, give us a call!
