One of the ways to ensure your home looks its very best is to view it from the street. In the housing market, this is often referred to as kerb appeal; or what a property looks like when you stand in the street and view it from a distance.
If you’re trying to sell your house quickly, the importance of kerb appeal simply can’t be overestimated. How your home looks from the moment people drive up to it could be crucial to your chances of securing a fast sale — as well as the best price possible. To ensure that your home offers maximum kerb appeal, there are a few things you should take care of.
1. Clear the drive
The drive of any home entices people into a property; it should therefore be clean, clear of rubbish and weeds and in a good state of repair. While you may not think that a little moss here and there is a major issue, it can spoil the look of a drive from a distance. If you need to repair your driveway on the cheap, consider replacing single sections. You can also lay a cheaper alternative, such as gravel.
2. Tend to your garden
This is where there is no substitute for hard work. Remove any weeds, and trim overgrown trees and hedges. Make sure your lawn is short and neat, or if you have paving, ensure it’s free of weeds and litter. If you’re presenting your home during the summer, place some garden furniture in your garden to make it look as welcoming as possible. Add a splash of colour with some flowerbeds and the odd lick of paint.
3. Organise your bins
Many of us now keep our bins at the front of our property. However, they can really spoil the overall image of a home. If possible, move your wheelie bins to the back garden or down the side of your property. If there is nowhere else to put them, build a bin store, and paint it a colour that blends in with the rest of your home.
4. Make your windows presentable
If you’re lucky, making your windows presentable might be a simple case of having them cleaned. Either do this by calling in the experts, or use a handheld steam cleaner for the job. If your windows are wooden, you might need to paint them in order to make them look presentable. Although you may not want to replace windows, this could be your only option if you want to maximise your home’s kerb appeal. Remember: tatty, worn windows will start alarm bells ringing with prospective buyers from the moment they arrive.
5. Check your roof
Just like your windows, the condition of your roof will tell your prospective buyers a lot about your home. Make sure you replace any missing tiles or slates, and ensure that your guttering is working and in a good state of repair. Also, it might be worth paying a specialist company to remove any accumulations of moss or vegetation from your roof.
6. Make your front door presentable
Your front door is crucial to the overall look of your property; it therefore has to be smart and in a good state of repair. If it’s a wooden door, consider giving it a fresh lick of paint. You might also want to replace knockers, locks and the letterbox to ensure it sparkles when prospective buyers arrive. If you door is made from composite or uPVC, clean it thoroughly. Finally, add some potted plants around your front door to deliver the “wow factor”.
7. Get the jetwash out
Finally, it’s always a good idea to jetwash dirty brickwork, woodwork, paving, cladding and concrete — just before your first potential buyers arrive. This will ensure that everything looks clean and well maintained.
Creating kerb appeal isn’t rocket science. Simply getting the exterior of your home looking attractive, clean and in a good state of repair could make it a lot more attractive to prospective buyers.
