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- Clean up: A well manicured lawn shows potential buyers that you take pride in your home and that you have taken care of it. Having a unkempt lawn may scare off buyers before they even step through the door. If you have a power washer, use it to clean off the driveway, walkways, garage door, fences, etc. Spend time cleaning the windows on both sides; this will make the outside sparkle and allow the most natural light possible into your home. If any of the window trim or siding is missing or damaged, consider repairing or replacing it.
- Take the time to plant: Plant flowers and low maintenance ground cover. If parts of the lawn are dead, put down new sod or if time allows, reseed. Trim any shrubs and weed the garden. Mulching the planting beds will prevent weeds and encourage growth. To create instant curb appeal, try putting in window boxes. They come in a huge variety of colors, styles, and materials, so they don’t have to cost a lot and they can be low maintenance. Another trick to boost curb appeal is to put potted plants in highly visible areas; just be careful not to overdo it. Having too many plants and flowers can create a cluttered look.
- Focus on the entryway: An entrance should be welcoming to buyers, encouraging them to come in and stay for awhile. Start by looking at the entry floor material; if it’s wood and there are any loose boards make the necessary repairs. If the floor is concrete, fill in any cracked areas and repair crumbled corners and edges. Put out a new simple and attractive doormat and consider replacing the storm door, any light fixtures, knobs, knockers, or kickplates if they are worn. Another tip to consider is installing a new mailbox and house numbers since they are the first and last part of your home that potential buyers see.
- Choose a palette: The exterior color of a home is very important and is a large part of a buyer’s first impression of your home. It is usually best to stick with traditional colors such as classic white, off-white, light blue, warm taupe, blue-gray, or pale yellow. If you are unsure of what hue to go with, take a look at what color neighboring homes are. It is usually best to blend in rather than stand out.