Curb Appeal – We Can’t Talk About It Enough
One of the biggest phrases in real estate lingo is curb appeal but this can mean so many different things to so many different people. There are some definites that everyone agrees on and there are some items that depend on where you live and local real estate traditions. There are some items that you can do for a few dollars and a little time and there are others that might require some serious cash and calling in the experts. The basics of curb appeal, however, are simple.
- The yard is not overgrown.
- The house is not falling apart.
- The is no junk strewn about.
The more in-depth version of the above list is doing things to the exterior of a home that make it as appealing as possible to potential buyers and those driving past. If exterior siding is rotted or paint chipping, it sends warning signals to a buyer’s brain that there is deferred maintenance and they automatically start ticking off dollars on their potential offer price. And that’s before they even step foot inside the door. Even a bit of touch up paint on doors and trim, along with some minor handyman work to pressure wash sidewalks and driveways will get you a long way.
Other elements of the curb appeal include landscaping and they can be a bit more subjective. A great place to start is with the basics. Trim back trees and bushes, especially those along walkways and near the roofline (these are almost always called out during inspections because they give wood destroying insects like termites easy access to your home). Mow the yard (or rake it in the fall) regularly while your home is on the market. Adding mulch to flower beds (and maybe a few freshly planted colorful bushes or flowers) is generally an excellent investment on the outside of your home. Fix that fence that you’ve been meaning to get to. And whatever you do, keep the lawn gnomes to a minimum (just checking to make sure you’re still reading!).
Here in South Texas, the summer droughts can turn lush green lawns into crispy brown eyesores practically overnight. While there are some companies out there that you can pay to spray green dye on the brown lifeless leaves to give the impression of hearty growth and tender care, we wouldn’t necessarily always recommend that route. Some people also look to xeriscaping as a way to strategically combat water restrictions while still keeping their yards in well manicured form. This could involve drought tolerant plants (yucca, cactus, etc.), rock beds (instead of dirt or mulch which are much more easily eroded), or even full out concrete.
If you’re not sure how to get the most bang for your buck on curb appeal or if you just want to get some specific pointers on your own home, call one of our trusted agents. Not only can they assist you with ideas and planning, but they also have a network of professionals to help save you time and/or money when tackling this task.
image courtesy of numberstumper
