When selling your home, first impressions count, that's why it's vital to create kerb appeal at your house to wow buyers when they first see your property. Coming up, we’ll share our top 10 tips for improving your kerb appeal. By taking these simple steps, it is possible to improve the kerb appeal at your property with relative ease.
What gives a house kerb appeal?
Kerb appeal is all about creating a good first impression for your home as soon as people approach it. This could be anything from fixing up the front garden, removing rubbish or improving the exterior with a fresh coat of paint.
How important is kerb appeal?
A whopping 68% of home buyers think kerb appeal is important when buying a home. After all, the lead photograph on property listing sites will often be the outside of your home, so this image has to grab attention and encourage buyers to book a viewing.
How to improve kerb appeal
1. Add a fresh coat of paint to your front door
Your front door will be the first thing that prospective buyers will notice. Sand down and filler any imperfections and treat your front door to a fresh coat of paint.
2. Keep paths and driveways are in excellent condition
You need to make sure that your paths and driveways are in excellent condition. Look for cracks or gaps and if there are any, repair or replace them. Also, you should thoroughly clean your path or driveways ahead of every viewing.
3. Brighten up your boundaries
Since your buyers will want to know where the property begins and ends, it makes sense to mark this area attractively. If you have a wooden fence, make sure it is in excellent condition. If it isn’t, consider applying a fresh coat of fence paint. Check all gates function correctly, trim hedges and if you have any plants next to paths or doors, be sure to prune them.
4. Add some life with a touch of greenery
Fresh plants and flowers will not only enhance your property listing pictures, they will also help to bring your garden to life when prospective buyers visit your home. If you’re not naturally green-fingered, opt for hardy perennials for year-round interest.
5. Tidy up the garden and patio area
It goes without saying that any prospective buyer is going to be impressed by a neat and tidy garden area. Check for weeds and make sure that the grass is cut regularly. Trim edges around paths or lawns, apply weed killer where necessary and use a moss remover on patios or decking areas
6. Power wash your walls
One simple way to freshen up the exterior of your home is to power wash all external walls with a pressure washer at least once a year. When you use a power washer, it removes dirt and grime from surfaces, which can make them look unsightly.
7. Check your windows
When buyers view your home, they will spend time looking at windows, so make sure they look as good as they possibly can. Frames should be painted and window sills should be free from moss or mould. Also, check that all windows open and close properly. Any broken locks or hinges will need replacing before prospective buyers visit the property.
8. Invest in exterior lighting
You can transform the entire look of your home with external lighting, especially if you are looking to create an attractive evening view. Exterior lights come in many shapes and sizes, and they are easy to install too.
9. Look to the roof
Before the viewings start, check for any cracks or loose tiles on your roof and arrange for them to be repaired or replaced, if necessary.
10. Clear gutters
The gutters should be clear of leaves and free of debris. The last thing you want is for viewers to see water overflowing due to blocked gutters.
Why not go further?
When it comes to creating a positive first impression, prospective buyers won’t just consider your home, but the whole local area.
If you can, tidy up any litter on your street. Or, if your neighbour’s garden isn’t up to your standard, why not offer to do some work for them? Frame your suggestion as politely and helpfully as possible.
If you're looking for expert assistance in selling your home, contact your local Hunters branch and get a free valuation booked.
