I recently saw a home from the 1970’s that had low ceilings and a cramped entryway. These are common issues of houses from that era, but the homeowners were able to make the most of this home because they had fixed other aspects in fresh, inviting ways. The primary bedroom was expanded and a pleasant color scheme was enhanced with artistic touches. The inside was well-done, but the huge let down for this property was the lack of curb appeal.

What is curb appeal?

Curb appeal is the visual attractiveness of a property when initially seen by a prospective buyer as viewed from the front of the property at the “curb”.

curbside view of a one-story house with a green lawn and a small but pretty garden, giving the house better curb appeal

Why does it matter?

When prospective buyers skim through pictures on home search sites, they do just that. They glance at the first photo, usually from the street and decide instantly if this property appeals to them. If not, they won’t look at it for another second. As a seller you need to break through their indifference by having a visually appealing home. Everyone has an idea of what appeals to them, including trends they like. There are also regional preferences to take into consideration. The challenge is finding the look that is likely to appeal to the most viewers, and not deter others.

How can I add to the curb appeal of my home?

photo of the front of a home where the door is a dark wood, the house is painted green, the front porch is a light colored wood, the overhang a reddish brown, and the rock columns light grey. The colors draw the eye to different parts of the house. — Paint applied to specific elements of your home can accentuate different features and help them stand out.

If you have the budget, fresh paint in an appealing, somewhat traditional color can help immensely. Maybe you can paint one element that will be pleasantly eye-catching, like the front door. If you don’t have the budget, try to focus on cleaning the exterior and removing clutter. Freshen up the yard or plantings. Maybe add fresh mulch. If you have a yard, this is the time to water and fertilize it.

We all become accustomed to our surroundings. After a while, you may not see things in the same way that a prospective buyer will. So, take a look at your home from the street. Imagine you have never seen it before and you are comparing it with many others. How does it look with this perspective? What can be improved? Sometimes it helps to look at comparable properties on home search sites for inspiration.

What if I am selling in Fall or Winter?

A lot of advice about curb appeal assumes you are selling in Summer. There are more home sales in Summer, but an increasing number of home sales happen in other months. The key for selling in the cooler months is keeping things clean. Rake up the leaves. Clearing snow and ice is a must. Add color. If you have planters or potted plants, be sure they are cleared of dead plants. You can place silk plant branches in the planters with Fall colored leaves. In Winter, place evergreen branches in planters, making sure they are securely anchored in the dirt. Your REALTOR is a great resource here. They will have experience in this area and can offer advice.

I am a REALTOR and homeowner with years of experience selling homes, including my own. I would be happy to help you sell your home, including giving you advice on how to improve your home’s curb appeal. If this sounds good to you, fill out this form and I will be in touch with you soon!

curb view of a blue one story house with text overlaid reading what is curb appeal and why does it matter?

Everything here is presented as friendly advice. Nothing here is to be considered legal advice.

What is “Curb Appeal” and why is it important when selling a home?