We’ve got some news: Prospective buyers visiting your home for the very first time will decide how they feel about it pretty much instantly, judging based on your home’s “curb appeal” well before they even make it to the front door.
We’ve got some more news: You can help your home make an amazing first impression, without wearing out your wallet in the process.
Here are five easy, budget-friendly ways to add instant curb appeal to your home:
1.) Outdoor Seating
One of the main goals of staging your home is to help prospective buyers envision themselves in the space. So why not make it easier by giving them somewhere to sit, gather, and live?
Adding seating to your home can really help visitors instantly see the appeal of your front porch, back deck, or balcony as a living area, and picking the right accessories can really sell the story of your unique property. Old brick house? Maybe rustic rocking chairs or a playful, antique swingset on the front porch. New-school condo? Try a colorful, eclectic seating area with mismatched pieces to highlight the space’s funky charms.
2.) Repaint Your Door, Shutters, and Trim
A few simple updates can totally reinvigorate the feel of your home’s exterior – including a simple paint job to your door, shutters, or trim. For the cost of a bucket of exterior paint, you can give the front of the property an entirely new feel: Use bright, bold colors to help the building stand out from the crowd, or create a fresh, just-cleaned impression by re-staining your wooden accents or painting them pearly white.
3.) Landscape!
You’d be surprised how many people try to sell their home without giving their lawn, garden, or flower boxes just a little bit of TLC. In our view, this is an enormous mistake. Something as simple as keeping the lawn trim and neat, regularly watering the flowers, or planting a new tree can easily change a visitor’s entire perspective on the front of your home. Never underestimate the power of a good landscaping job!
4.) Install New Mailbox or Address Numbers
When it comes to adding curb appeal, the smallest (and cheapest) changes can have the largest impact. After all, you never know just what is going to stick out to your prospective buyer.
With that in mind, consider replacing your mailbox, whether it’s street-facing or mounted next to your front door. As long as your box is within regulations, this is a chance to let your imagination run wild and totally redefine the feel of your exterior with a one- to two-hour DIY project. Similarly, replacing your faded or out-of-fashion house numbers with a brand new set won’t break your budget, but will surely add ample curb appeal to your property.
5.) Rethink Your Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting is all about form (that is, making sure your fixtures fit in with your home’s décor) and function (will they be automatic as a security measure? Will they be bright flood lights or warm porch lights?). Replacing your outdoor lighting is a great way to reassure potential buyers that your home is both welcoming and secure.
Want to add even more of a wow factor? Consider adding decorative path lights along your walkway to help illuminate your visitor’s path, or string up lights along your back deck or balcony to create a festive party atmosphere.
Need any more help getting your property ready for the market? Looking for a new home? You’ve come to the right place! Real Group is here and happy to help guide you through all of the ins and outs of Chicago real estate. Drop us a line today to get the conversation started!
