When they first arrive, potential buyers will pause outside your property and make an instant judgement. Their decision may leave you in despair or could give you cause for celebration. Which one will it be?
Remember, books shouldn’t be judged by their cover ... but homes always are.
The front of your home needs to be picture-perfect. A bad impression from the street is a surprisingly common reason why homes don’t get more viewings. So, here’s our five ways to quickly improve your property’s kerb appeal:
1. Lighting – Potential buyers might drive past your property after dark, especially during the winter, so it is essential that your house looks appealing after sunset. A nice lantern on the porch and a few garden lights can make all the difference and highlight your property’s potential.
2. Main entrance – The front door is the postcard image of any new home so make sure that it’s in good condition. And help it stand out by giving it a fresh coat of paint. Bright colours are “in” at the moment, although vivid pink might not be the best idea, even if it is your favourite colour...
3. Windows – If you have trouble looking past fingerprints and dust on your windows, so will potential buyers. So give your windows a good clean regularly. Check your window frames too; if they’re rotten, they aren’t going to look very appealing. Consider replacing them before putting your property on the market.
4. Neighbours – The last thing that potential buyers want to see is a grotty neighbourhood, so the appearance of neighbouring houses matters almost as much as your own. So if Mr. Jones next door has rubbish on his lawn or his garden needs a tidy, politely offer to help when you’re sorting out your own.
5. Clean and tidy – Finally, to give a good overall first impression, ensure that everything in your house is as clean and tidy as possible. Repaint tired paintwork and railings; get rid of the weeds; trim the lawn; and make sure that nothing unsightly is sitting on your drive (e.g. a skip).
Just following these kerb appeal ideas will make a big difference to your property. We’d love to hear how you get on – let us know!
And remember: always think about the experience that you are selling to buyers and what they are likely to want. You can read more about that here.
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