You’ve put your investment property on the market, and you’ve already got your first showing scheduled. The inside looks great, but how do you get potential buyers to see it? The answer is in the little details that boost curb appeal. Consider these budget-friendly landscaping and exterior cleaning tips to draw potential buyers inside.
1. Landscaping
The first thing people notice as they approach the house is the landscaping. A well-kept, weed-free lawn is a definite must. Consider striping the grass as you mow, and water and fertilize as needed. Prune tree limbs away from doors and windows. Pull all the grass and weeds that pop up between cement layers in walkways and the driveway. Hire a local professional
The next homeowner or renter doesn’t want to spend all their free time on yard work. That’s why it’s crucial your landscaping be low-maintenance.
Colorful flowers are perfect attention-getters. Native plants and flowers are low maintenance since they’ve adapted to your area’s climate and soil conditions — plus native plants help reduce allergies and are good for the environment. Just as you stage the interior of the home, stage the outside. Pretty flowers in hanging baskets and ceramic containers welcome visitors to the front door.
2. Maintenance
Chipped and faded paint, broken porch railings, loose shutters — they’re all signs of a poorly maintained home. Costs for hiring professional companies can vary, but if you’re the do-it-yourself type, and you have the time, grab the paint, stain, and hammer. Black front doors are an attractive lure to the property, adding as much as $6,000 to the selling price. While you’re at it, add a new coat of paint or stain to shutters, railings, fences, and window boxes.
3. Power-Washing
Now that you’ve spruced up the exterior, it’s time to make it sparkle. A dirty exterior will detract buyers and cleaning it up doesn’t take much time or money. Power-wash the hardscape, fenced areas, siding, porch, and any patio furniture. You may even turn the walkway a shade lighter and clean equals more curb appeal.
4. Outdoor Accessories
Brighten up the outside of the house with new energy-efficient light fixtures. Perimeter spotlights, front door luminaries, sidewalk and garden solar sticks aren’t costly, and they’ll make the outside much safer, especially after sunset. Check out home improvement stores like Think Realty Supplier Home Depot Pro, for replacement house numbers. They come in various sizes and draw eyes to the newly painted front door. Complete your home’s curb appeal with items such as a new mailbox, bird feeders, ornamental rocks, lanterns, hanging plants, or porch swings.
Small improvements and colorful outdoor touches evoke a welcoming, comfortable home. The added curb appeal will attract more buyers and possibly higher bidders. Sprucing up the property doesn’t have to bust your bank account. Instead, it should yield some big returns.
Veteran house-flipper Luci Santos has a traveler’s heart but likes a base camp. Her goal is to buy and flip a house in every part of the United States. She writes about DIY and real estate topics. Photo source.
0 Comments