5 Tips for Giving Your Home's Curb Appeal a Boost

They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and this is especially true when it comes to your home. Buyers are visual shoppers, and they're looking for a property that simply looks great. You want people to step inside for a showing, but first you'll have to catch their attention with excellent curb appeal.

What's curb appeal? It's the way your house looks from the street—or in photos of the exterior. This is always the first impression potential buyers have of your home, and it's the experience that will lead them to slow down as they drive by or to click through for more information about your home on the internet. Your goal is to create a clean, inviting space that will be irresistible to buyers interested in your Ravenswood home. Here's how to get started.

Keep Paths Clean

It's easy to focus on the house when you're preparing to sell, but the landscape is also really important. Keep the driveway, sidewalk and any paths weed-free and swept clean. In the autumn, you'll need to rake away leaves and other debris; in the winter, use your snow-blower or shovel to keep them clear of snow and ice. Showing buyers that you care about these maintenance details inspires confidence that you take equally good care of the rest of your house.

Landscape for All Seasons

It's easy to create an inviting landscape in the summer when the the grass is green and flowers are blooming, but your property should be equally appealing in all seasons. Consider overhauling your landscape plantings to include neat evergreen shrubs to add shape and colour during the winter. You may also think about adding container plantings on the front porch that can be easily replanted with seasonal flowers and greenery on a regular basis.

Touch Up Paint

Inspect your home's exterior carefully for chipped or peeling paint. A fresh coat of paint can make your home look clean and add thousands of dollars to your eventual selling price. Choose neutral colours to appeal to the widest range of buyers. If you have vinyl siding or your home is clad in another material, be sure to have the exterior cleaned to brighten up its overall appearance.

Trim Trees and Hedges

Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional landscaper, make sure your trees and hedges are carefully pruned to a pleasing shape before you put your house on the market. Foundation plantings shouldn't touch the house or block light from the windows, so overgrown shrubs should be cut back or possible even removed if they've outlived their usefulness.

Add a Decorative Touch

Once your home is clean and looking its best from the street, consider adding a final bit of finesse to welcome guests into your home. Make your entryway extra inviting by adding a seasonal wreath to the front door to serve as a focal point. You'll also want to check light bulbs on the porch to make sure they're working well and are as bright as they can be to highlight the front door.

Taking the time to boost your home's curb appeal will help usher buyers into the door for showings—and that helps your real estate agent sell your house faster and for a better price. For additional advice specific to your home, talk to your real estate agent about what works best in your market.