Curb Appeal

Everyone has heard the term "curb appeal." But what does that mean? And more importantly, how do you get it? Never fear, I have outlined several easy & inexpensive improvements you can make, to get GREAT curb appeal.

**WARNING: all the photos attached are of REAL homes for sale RIGHT NOW in Salt Lake City. Many of the homes are suffering from multiple bad decisions made by their owners. Names have been changed to protect the innocent, parental discretion advised! ;o)

GOOD

"Curb appeal" is used to describe the first impression your house gives to potential buyers. When shopping for a home, you might hear your realtor say something like "It has great curb appeal!"

In our digital world curb appeal is EVEN more important! Most buyers are surfing real estate listings, and telling their realtor what properties they want to go look at. Your house may only have 1 exterior picture to win a potential client!

Improving the exterior image of your home, maybe the best money you spend when getting ready to go on the market. Because, if you can't make a good 1st impression, many buyers will not take a closer look. Many times simple fixes can go a long way to making your home more photogenic, and improving it's curb appeal.

BAD

1. MOVE YOUR CAR(S)

You are not selling your car! It should not be in your exterior picture!

Of course you can park in your drive while while your house is listed, but MAKE SURE to move your vehicle when you are showing your house! You want your buyer to feel like THEY COULD LIVE IN YOUR HOME! Making them walk across your lawn, or shimmy by your car does not accomplish this!

2. PUT AWAY YOUR GARBAGE CANS!

Garbage cans are NEVER attractive! They are an essential part of our modern life, but they should be considered a given. You don't need to let your buyers know you have city garbage service by showing the cans in your picture!

Sometimes, to get your listing up quickly, your realtor or photographer will take an exterior picture of your home without making an appointment. If this happens and you end up with a picture from garbage day, ask for your pictures to be retaken.

3. CLEAN UP YOUR STUFF!

This on should be a no brain-er! Put your stuff AWAY. You don't want the snow shovel and kids toys in your picture! This rule should apply throughout the home selling process. Roll up the hose, and replace the grill cover every time you use them! Sweep your walks & porch regularly. You never know when you may get the call from your realtor that someone wants to look at your home!

4. TRIM YOUR TREES AND HEDGES!

You may LOVE your trees, but if they are blocking the view of you home from the street, they need to be trimmed back. Remember, the exterior picture is sometimes the only chance your home has to woo a potential buyer, it is helpful if they can actually SEE your house!

5. WATER YOUR LAWN & WEED YOUR PLANTERS

If you don't have auto sprinklers, water by hand! A nice green lawn is very attractive in pictures, and leaves a potential buyers with the impression that you care about your home & have taken good care of it.

GOOD
6. PLANT SOME FLOWERS

Flowers are cheery, flowers are happy, flowers are welcoming, flowers mean you care.

You don't have to go over board with the flowers. But adding color to bare planters will help your curb appeal. If you have large planters, use mulch to fill in between immature plants.

For most people, these 6 steps will be enough to boost their curb appeal. Even if you home needs more TLC than covered here, these steps are a good place to start! So, what are you waiting for? Get out there, and boost your curb appeal!