Curb appeal is key : Rooftop Views

Rooftop Views

Curb appeal is key

As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. This adage certainly holds true when it comes to the curb appeal of the home you're selling. Buyers these days make decisions quickly and might not even take the time to go inside your home if at first glance, they don't like what they see on the outside.

"The homeowners themselves aren't always in the best position to judge their own curb appeal given that they see the property everyday," said Holly Slaughter, editor-in-chief of RealEstate.com Tips and Tools. "This is why I always recommend that homeowners invite a real estate agent or a friend over to give an honest assessment of a home's curb appeal before putting it on the market."

If prospective buyers pull up to what might be their new home, only to be turned off by chipped paint and a shaggy lawn, chances are they'll move on quickly to the next listing. So what can you do to increase a home's curb appeal? Here are some easy projects to include on your to-do list:

- Maintain the lawn. Seed the bare patches in your lawn and keep the rest mowed and nicely edged. If you don't have time to do this, hire a service as the lawn is the first thing prospective buyers will notice.
- Consider whether your house could use a good power washing. This doesn't cost much and will quickly take away the years of dust and grime that has collected on your home.
- Make sure the doorbell works and that the front door opens and shuts smoothly without creaking. Creaking can indicate aging or disrepair - things no prospective buyer wants to be greeted with.
- Keep clutter to a minimum, meaning no bikes or toys on the lawn and no garbage containers in sight of the street.
- Repaint any areas where paint may be flaking.

A home's curb appeal is the "face" that everyone sees. Prospective buyers will be certain to stop and take a peak if a home is clean and welcoming so make sure you do what you can to make the home shine through great curb appeal.