Curb appeal is a term used to refer to the exterior appearance of a property when that property is being viewed from the street. It is a fairly common term used in the real estate market. Curb appeal is one of the first factors considered by potential buyers because it is the first thing they see when approaching a home.
Curb Appeal Leaves A Lasting Impression
First impressions are important, even in the world of real estate. The curb appeal of a home determines the first impression potential buyers will have. Thus, if you have good curb appeal, then you are more likely to leave a positive first impression. Bad curb appeal could prevent them from even entering the home.
Curb appeal is so important that it actually affects the value of your home without adding space. There are a number of techniques you can use to increase the value of your home by improving your curb appeal. These techniques range from landscaping to exterior painting to unique decorations.
A home’s curb appeal may not always be the same to every buyer so it can be difficult to gauge the effectiveness of certain design decisions. You can overcome this obstacle by working with a qualified real estate agent who has an adequate understanding of the local market and knows the type of people who are most likely to be interested in your home.
Landscaping Improves Curb Appeal
Landscaping is more than just a personal hobby for many homeowners. It is a way to maintain and increase the value of their home by improving its curb appeal. Landscaping is not a just work and it is not just an expense you pay to look good. It is a long-term investment. It can also be a lot of fun.
Landscaping may add as much as 25 percent or more to the value of the property all by improving the curb appeal. Small landscaping changes can add as much as 5 percent to the value of the property if the target buyer is kept in mind.
There are a lot of elements involved with landscaping. Trees, grass, bushes, and other pieces of scenery. Each of these items has some value to it. If they are pieced together properly then their value accumulates because it greatly improves the aesthetics of the home. There is even a calculator to help you determine the value of a specific type of tree in your yard.
However, you should remember that landscaping can hurt just as much as it can help. Poor landscaping is not going to improve the value of your home even if you invested a lot of money into it. Likewise, if you don’t keep the local area, neighborhood and target buyers in mind it could hurt your wallet much more than it helps.
Painting The Exterior
Painting a home’s exterior is an easy way to improve the curb appeal and make the home look twenty years younger. A fresh coat of paint is almost always a good idea unless it is a poorly chosen color. Choosing the right paint can add quite a bit of value to a home especially if it is applied shortly before the selling process begins.
Work with a professional to get help choosing the best possible color palette. You need the right colors next to each other but also colors that work well against the roof. The color of trim and detail is also extremely important.
There are a lot of smaller, more affordable improvements you can make outdoors to improve the curb appeal and increase the value of your home. You can add lamps, fountains or other works of art. You won’t always get your money back when you sell, but you will have fun, make your home look better and increase its value.
Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11045086@N03/3492118913
About Author:
Jeremy Johnson is a real estate enthusiast and has written content for dozens of real estate and related sites around the world. RealEstateCompanies.info is a side project he maintains because of his interest in real estate.
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