You know that in these times of real estate sales, you must do everything in your power to make your for-sale house stand out among the rest. The first place to start is with the first thing that potential buyers see – the front outside of your house. This is called curb appeal, and it can make or break your sale. Below is a checklist of things to do to make the visage of your home the best and most appealing it can be.
- Power wash the outside of the house. If you have loose, Peeling, cracking paint, you’ll need to have the place painted.
- Power wash the windows outside and clean them on the inside. Be sure to remove debris and cobwebs—these will make windows look dull.
- Clean out gutters and replace them if they’re rusty, bent, or look old and in disrepair.
- Rake up leaves and dead vegetation and dispose of them.
- Keep the lawn mowed throughout the sales process. Make sure sidewalks and walkways are edged neatly.
- Get rid of weeds, dandelions, and grass growing up through the driveway or sidewalks.
- Trim trees so that no limbs are touching the roof.
- Affix or replace loose roof shingles.
- Make sure all yard tools and toys are stowed away. Roll up that hose neatly.
- Put bikes, skateboards, and scooters in the garage.
- If you have a basketball hoop, replace the net if it’s torn, dingy or worn.
- Trim back unruly, unkempt bushes. Remove them altogether if they look scraggly and dry no matter what you do.
- Install a motion detector light in the front yard so when lookers come by in the evening, they can see the front of the house.
- Install low-wattage ground lights along the front walkway.
- Keep the walkway to the house, the driveway, and the sidewalk in front of the house swept.
- Plant bright-colored flowers and keep them watered and looking beautiful. Remove wilted dead blooms religiously.
- Wherever your foundation shows, place a planter with colorful flowers.
- Give your front door a fresh coat of paint or replace it.
- Replace the door’s hardware and knob.
- Paint or stain your wood fences and repair any broken fencing.
- Replace the mailbox.
- Apply large, clearly visible house numbers to the front of your house.
- Keep garbage barrels in the garage out of sight.
Curb appeal extends to the sides and back of your house as well:
- Power wash your deck or patio and sand and stain if necessary.
- Secure any loose railings and boards on your deck.
- Trim bushes and vegetation around your patio or deck.
- Set up attractive, comfortable-looking sitting areas in the backyard. You can stage the outside of the house as well as the inside.
- If you have a dog, be sure to use the pooper scooper on a daily basis. If your dog’s a barker, keep it inside rather than let it stand outside chasing potential buyers away.
- Remove any wasp nests and ant hills from the premises.
- Keep all backyard toys and tools put away and the hose rolled up.
Please feel free to call 410-936-5729 for more information.
