Frugal Curb Appeal Tips

A study by the National Association of REALTORS® showed that curb appeal and first impressions greatly influence the sale-ability of a property. Refreshing your home’s exterior beautifies your home and increases it’s overall value. Small, inexpensive improvements can make a big difference in how others perceive your home.

Simple landscaping projects or touch-ups with paint will make your home a stand-out from the crowd. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Cleaning has the highest return on investment

Pressure washing drives, sidewalks, decks, and siding has the highest return for your curb appeal investment. Rent a washer or hire a pro – either way, a spotless exterior makes the best impression and readies the job site for more improvements.

A fresh front door

All homes benefit from a welcoming entrance and that starts with a front door that says, “Hello!”. Most homes have doors painted in the builder colours of white or beige. Painting your front door a bold colour such as gold, blue, or green will add energy to your entrance. Take a picture of your house from the street and bring small paint sample of the siding and/or trim when you go to the paint store. The staff should be able to recommend something that works really well with the overall decor.

Flower pots everywhere

Colour and more colour is the theme of the spring and summer selling seasons. Human psychology shows that people get excited when they are around colours, especially primary colours. Help buyers get in the mood with potted plants on the porch and steps. Shaded front entrances benefit with a “calm and green” colour scheme. Containers of lush hostas, ivy, and ferns appeal to the senses. Be inventive with containers by recycling an old boot, a metal bucket, or a rough sawn wood planter.

Thank you very mulch

An investment of a few dollars in mulch can return more than 100% of your investment, especially if everything works together. Choose the texture and species of wood mulch you like. Sturdy bark mulch is good for areas with children and pets (it also makes a great sidewalk chalk substitute). Fine or shredded mulch is nice with decorative species of plants and trees. Keep edges neat for a professional presentation.

Driveway and sidewalk

Replacing a broken concrete driveway with pavers is a premium upgrade that will add to the value of your home. Replace the sidewalk to match for a hat-and-gloves solution to pavement heaving and unsightly cracks. If you have an asphalt driveway, use a sealer to lock out moisture and transform a faded drive into a fresh black surface. Don’t forget your garage door. There are many ways to dress it up including faux hardware, paint to compliment your new front door, and even replacing it with a wood or transom model.

Green lawns mean fast sales

Studies have shown that a healthy, green lawn that is free of weeds can influence buyers. It’s a simple update that results in instant curb appeal. You can DIY or hire a lawn maintenance company to give it a make-over. Within a few weeks, weed control and fertilizer will transform tired, brown into a thick, green lawn worthy of a golf course. While the lawn is growing, it’s a good opportunity to maintain the shrubs and trees.