Did you know that adding curb appeal can improve offers on your house?
If you are a real estate agent, then you already understand that any advantages which help raise offers on your houses or make them sell faster are always welcome. Adding curb appeal is one such advantage that can help you sell houses faster and at higher prices.
You do not have to spend too much money on adding curb appeal and the little money you do spend on it is well worth the investment. We will not ask you to add a pool or redo the roof but there are a few very useful and inexpensive things that add curb appeal and make for a great sale.
They will attract more buyers, get you better offers and sell your houses faster, all without spending so much that you lose money on the sale and regret the upgrades. Which is the case with many real estate sales where upgrades and renovations end up costing more than their worth in the final sale price.
With current mortgage rates so low, it is a sellers’ market these days and there is no better time to use everything in your real estate arsenal that helps improve your offers or start a bidding war.
We have done the research and come up with the best and most cost-effective ways to add curb appeal for selling houses when setting them up for showings or open houses.
Add Curb Appeal for Selling Houses
Here is our list of things that effectively add curb appeal for selling houses, without breaking the bank.
Real Estate Signage & Mailbox
Your real estate signage, the one that says, ‘for sale’, is one of the first things buyers see when they approach your property, and it should reflect pride in your house. You only want to use clean and quality signs that display how well you regard your property.
It should look premium, clean and the contents should be clear and appealing – no quirky fonts or graphics. A white and blue combo is always preferable. Similar to the signage, your mailbox is also one of the first things buyers see.
If your mailbox needs repairs, repainting or cleaning, tend to it so that it reflects your property in a fresh light.
A dingy and used mailbox sends the message that the property is lived-in and uncared for. If the mailbox is too worn out, replacing it with a new one is fairly inexpensive for the added curb appeal and subsequent positive vibes it provides.
Clean the Windows, Roof and Gutters
These are very basic and simple chores that will dramatically change the look of the house without costing anything extra. We are sure you have the supplies lying around and even if you do not, they are not very costly. If you need a ladder to reach heights, you can simply rent one for under 20 dollars.
Spend some time to sparkle up the windows, wash the roof and empty the gutters to add immense curb appeal. After all, a clean house is an attractive house – exactly the thing you need to drive up offers.
Spruce Up the Front
Refreshing the front is a highly effective way to add curb appeal without spending too much on upgrades. It is very inexpensive and adds immense value to the house. Take some time and thoroughly clean, repair, replace or repaint the front door and porch to bring out a fresh look.
Not doing this will cost you more in the sale of your house because the lived-in porch and used door showcase personalization – the last thing you want potential buyers to experience.
De-Clutter the Outdoors
De-cluttering is not limited to the inside of houses but also to the outside. When de-cluttering, you will want to remove anything that may personalize the house or stick out like a sour thumb. This means you will have to remove any evidence of family life from the property including garden equipment, trash and trash cans, gnomes, bicycles, playpens etc.
The only things you may leave are some well thought out, well placed and clean outdoor furniture, garden and flowerpots.
Power Wash the Driveways, Walkways & Patio
Rent a power washer if you do not own one and start cleaning the driveway, walkway, and patio with it. This can add immense curb appeal to the front of the house by bringing out a clean and shiny look for onlookers and potential buyers that may come.
It is called a power washer for a reason and it can power through spots that normal cleaning cannot compare to. You would be surprised as to how different and fresh the paths and porch look after using a power washer.
Manicure the Garden
This is probably the most effective way to add curb appeal for selling houses. You can either hire a professional or do this yourself but you must do it because it is extremely important for selling any house. It brings out the best in any home, especially if the weather is nice and sunny.
When tending to the garden, carefully mow the lawn, trim overgrown shrubs and remove any garden weeds. Make sure to also remove any low-hanging tree branches over the house that may signal potential buyers of rodents entering through them.
These simple things can really change the overall look and aesthetic of the garden.
If there are bald patches and you do not have enough time left to grow grass in those spots, you can spray the lawn with a green lawn spray paint. They are especially formulated for grass, are nontoxic and environment friendly. You can always do this yourself or hire a professional lawn painting service.
Remember this, a well-maintained garden will add volumes to a home’s curb appeal.
Brighten It Up with Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting can brighten up any grim looking areas outside the home. Think of pathways, corners or garage exteriors that may not be well lit during evenings. Lighting them up with adequate outdoor lighting is an inexpensive way to add curb appeal.
You will not need to purchase bright or expensive outdoor lights to do this. A low-voltage outdoor system, or even low-light solar-powered individual lighting can be ample for lighting pathways and garage exteriors.
You are only trying to add light for ambiance, which is why expensive outdoor lighting is not necessary. You only need the lights to function well and add curb appeal without creating distractions.
Expand the Indoor to Outdoor
Expanding your indoor living spaces to your outdoor spaces is an excellent idea to improve the flow and activeness of any house. Bring the indoors to the garden, deck or porch by adding things like outdoor furniture, a porch swing, lighting or even an outdoor rug.
This is a sure-fire way to liven up the outdoor spaces of any house.
Conclusion
The mentioned practices are all things that cost very little but can increase the value of houses in their sale price by attracting more buyers with better offers. Always remember to take professional pictures of the final results to use them when listing the property. This will double your returns in a single stroke.
As a real estate professional, sometimes you can do everything just right, but things happen that make you miss out on great offers or deals. For example, you may perfectly set up a house with all the added curb appeal for an open house and find yourself in an emergency that does not allow you to be there.
This is where OktoHub can greatly help you maintain your commitments and you’ll never have to trade your time for money.
What We Do
OktoHub is the first on-demand real estate assistance program that allows you to create a reliable network of real estate professionals and easily find assistance anytime you require it. If you cannot make it to your open house, attend an inspection or meet clients for a showing – no problem, OktoHub is here to help.
You can easily hire a trusted fellow agent to help you with your inspection, showings, open houses or other tailored tasks. You only pay for affordable single jobs without any commitment of a long-term hire.
If you want to learn more about adding curb appeal for selling houses, or OktoHub, please visit our website today.
