Maintenance & Upkeep
Most people work a lifetime to realize their dream of becoming a homeowner and are usually surprised to learn just how much hard work goes into maintaining a residential property. The key to keeping your home in good shape is general maintenance and upkeep, while taking on the right improvement projects.
Much like making a first impression when meeting someone new, the exterior of your house is the first thing people see. This is commonly referred to as your home’s curb appeal. Maintaining your home’s curb appeal is no simple task but here are some ideas to help improve it. The reward for your efforts being that it will be perceived as higher-quality by a potential buyer. The more attractive your home’s exterior is, the higher its perceived curb appeal will be.
The appeal your home has goes well beyond its architectural style. When assessing the curb appeal of a home, people will look at:
- The style of the front door
- Condition of the roof
- Quality and color of exterior paint
- Landscaping (add some greenery and potted plants)
- Exterior lighting design (examine placement and brightness)
As you can see, curb appeal is something all homeowners should be concerned about. If you feel like the outside of your home has become an eyesore or is dull, it is time to do something about it. Luckily, there are many ways to boost your home’s curb appeal.
One of the first things people will notice about your home is the condition of the front door. If your existing front door is old and worn, it is time to update. Instead of opting for a wooden or steel door, you need to choose something more ornate. Sometimes even a vivid color of fresh paint will do the trick.
Don’t Go Overboard
Some homeowners tend to go a bit overboard with their exterior decorations and end up with a cluttered look. Simply removing the clutter from your yard will give it a curb appeal boost.
Another effective way to boost curb appeal is by fixing any cracks or imperfections in your driveway. As time goes by, the concrete or asphalt that your driveway will start to show signs of wear and tear. Fixing these problems will help you retain a higher level of curb appeal.
There are also many very simple, inexpensive things you can do to boost your home’s curb appeal. The first is as simple as replacing the doormat at your front door. It has no doubt endured a winter of muddy boots and more. Replace that tired, worn-out mat with a fresh one. Another simple fix is to update a small, boring mailbox and add fresh street numbers to it and your house. Simply pretend you are a passerby and look carefully at what you see. You may see cluttered and overgrown flower beds, faded or peeling garage doors or outside lights that aren’t bright enough. Address these issues and watch your curb appeal rise dramatically!
Start Preparing Now!
With the spring buying season just around the corner, now’s the time to start getting your house ready to sell. And the best way to determine where to spend your time and money is to do a “curb appeal audit”. Determine your areas of concern and begin your cleaning and repairs. If you need a second opinion or a little direction, Good Thing Realty is ready to help you understand which improvements are most valuable in your local market!