Welcome and THANKS for stopping in to read the blog! I'm excited to get started and have an outlet for posting residential real estate news and updates!
Today's topic is curb appeal! Whether you are planning to put your house on the market or just maintain the beauty of your home- it's important to pay attention to what the front of your house looks like when others drive up.
Here are my top ten suggestions for improving curb appeal! At the bottom, you'll find links to a few articles I found helpful on this topic as well.
1. Landscaping
Keep it simple- you don't have to have the most beautiful garden on the street; fresh cut grass with neat edges go a long way to make your home appear well maintained. It is money well spent to invest in a professional tree trimmer periodically. This will keep limbs away from your roof (thus preventing damage!) and a nicely trimmed tree can truly enhance the look of the front of your home.
2. Front Door
Repaint or stain your front door yearly to maintain color. If you are trying to sell your home, keep the front door color a neutral- now's not the time to experiment with bright purple! Remember, the front door is the entrance into your home and you want it to set the tone. A door that always looks freshly painted gives people the impression that your home is well cared for. While you are at it, don't forget to polish and shine up the hardware!
3. Windows
Clean your windows monthly- both inside and out. I know, I know, no one likes to wash windows and they are hard to keep clean, especially if you have young children in your home! However, a little window cleaner to remove those greasy grimeys (aka- precious handprints!) will be worth the effort. Paper towels can often leave white bits behind; I like to use newspaper with my window cleaner to get a streak free shine.
4. Keep the toys in back
If you have young children in your home it's easy to let the front yard start looking like the backyard- bikes in the yard, stroller by the door, or a few too many balls around. They will leave your front yard looking messy and potentially invite theft. Remind your children that these items should all be stored in the garage or back of your home.
5. Add a pop of color
Be on the look out for a great deal on a ceramic pot or urn to put next to your front door. Lowe's or Home Depot usually have something that will work. Even the most Brown Thumbs (what I call people like myself that are the OPPOSITE of Green Thumbs) can maintain a small pot of flowers and adding some fresh flowers to a pot will give a pop of color that definitely enhances curb appeal. Make sure to pay attention to whether your front door is in the shade or full sun and buy flowers accordingly.
6. Hang a wreath
There's something about a wreath that makes your HOUSE look like a HOME. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, and I know wreaths can be pricey but you really only need two- one for spring/summer and one for fall/winter. You could probably even get crafty and use the same wreath all year simply changing out the décor to match the season. Make sure you keep the wreath proportional to your door; it should be an accent, not a hazard! (True story- I had to get rid of a wreath that was so large we could barely get through the doorway without getting tangled in the thing!)
7. Walkway
Make sure you have a clear path from the street to your front door. Visitors shouldn't have to trample through your grass to get to your house. If you don't have a walkway you can add one yourself by laying down some flagstone. When adding a walkway consider the style of your home. Is it a traditional red brick? Add a red brick or concrete path. Stucco? Consider adding flagstone.
8. Hang a Flag
Adding a flag gives your house character. You can go traditional and hang an American flag or branch out and put up a flag from your alma mater or favorite sports team. Again, make sure your flag is the right size for the house. You aren't trying to look like a post office with a giant American flag; keep it simple and buy the whole set from Target or Walmart- you can get the flag, pole, and mount all together for about $15 and it should be just the right size.
9. Power Wash
Power wash your walkway and driveway twice a year. There's nothing better than power washing- watching all of that dirt come up and run off is just gratifying. Make sure you block out enough time to start and finish the project; you don't want to get half of your driveway looking fabulous and then have to quit- trust me, the unwashed part will look even worse now next to the sparkling clean part!
10. Open and Inviting
We have HOT summer days down here in Texas! I know it's better for your energy bills to keep the curtains or blinds closed all of the time but that really makes your home look closed up and uninviting. Consider shutting the draperies only during the hottest part of the day but opening them up again in the evenings and mornings.
What are YOUR ideas for adding curb appeal? Any suggestions for keeping your yard neat and tidy?
If you are looking for more suggestions you might check out these articles!
http://architecture.about.com/od/addcharactertoyourhome/tp/AddCurbAppeal.htm
http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/home-improvement/adding-curb-appeal-value-to-home/
Check back next Thursday for another insider look into real estate!
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