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How To Create Curb Appeal That Sells Your House Faster

3 ways to improve that all-important first impression


spinner image This is a single family home that is new construction cottage style house with hardy board and a partial metal roof. It is grey with a teal door and there is great curb appeal. The house has a double front entrance and it is on a large lot.
Photo credit: Getty Images

First impressions mean a lot, whether you’re meeting someone new or looking for a house to buy. And, if you’re selling your home, making sure prospective buyers are getting the best first impression can make a big difference – not only in how quickly your house sells, but for how much.

In real estate lingo, first impressions hinge on “curb appeal,” the attractiveness of the outside of a home from the street. Homes with great curb appeal sell for an average of 7% more1 than comparable properties that lack exterior charm.

Putting effort into increasing your house’s curb appeal before selling it will pay off.

Focus on upgrades that make the most impact

A clean home, with freshly-washed siding and windows, is a basic necessity. Beyond that, focus primarily on what buyers notice first when driving up to a house – the landscape and entryway. But they’re also looking for usable outdoor space, so if you have it, you should showcase it.

Here are three of the best “bang for your buck” projects you can invest in before listing. 

spinner image House painter painting the trim and shutters of a home.
Photo Credit: Getty Images

1. Fresh paint – A front door in a vibrant red or energizing yellow color is an instant attention getter, and all it costs is a can of paint to DIY. You could go further with freshly-painted shutters, and even siding.

Estimated cost: $100 (paint and materials to DIY) – $5,000+ (professional painters for the entire house)

spinner image Single family home in with big green grass and yard
Photo Credit: Getty Images

2. Landscaping – Clean up overgrown beds in front of the house and along pathways. Add colorful annuals and mulch in the flower beds, and have the trees and bushes trimmed – especially if they’re blocking windows.

Estimated cost: $0 (DIY cleaning) – $2,000+ (professional arborist/landscaper services)

spinner image Home front porch with chairs and American flag
Photo Credit: Getty Images

3. Outdoor living space – After the last two years, outdoor spaces like front porches and back decks that serve as everyday retreats are more desirable than ever. A front porch, patio, or seating area should be clean and inviting, with plants and furnishings (bonus points for a porch swing!). If you don’t have the budget to build a new structure, create the illusion of a dedicated space with furniture, outdoor rugs, and accessories.

Estimated cost: $100 (DIY cleaning and some accessories) – $20,000+ (building a porch)

Get an expert opinion

First, if you don’t know the curb appeal projects that make the most sense in your area, enlist a professional real estate agent through Anywhere. Based on their experience and knowledge of your local market, they can advise you on the best improvements to make – within your budget – to sell your home faster. They’ll guide you through the entire sale process, from listing through closing.

Also, take advantage of AARP Real Estate Benefits by Anywhere. It’s free to sign up. There are no hidden fees. And, when you buy and/or sell your home, you can earn $300-$7,200 after closing.

Click here to calculate the cash benefit you could receive when selling or buying a home using your AARP Real Estate Benefits from Anywhere.
 

1 HomeLight https://www.homelight.com/blog/curb-appeal-for-selling-your-home/#:~:text=Not%20only%20does%20beautiful%20curb,home%20with%20great%20curb%20appeal.

*The cash back bonus is offered in most states. In some states, a gift card or commission reduction at closing may be provided in lieu of the cash back bonus. The program is not available for employer- sponsored relocations or transactions in Iowa or outside the United States. The cash back bonus is not available in Alaska and Oklahoma. In Kansas and Tennessee, a MasterCard MAX gift card will be issued. In Mississippi, New Jersey, and Oregon, a commission reduction may be available at closing. The cash back bonus is only available with the purchase and/or sale of your home through the use of a program-introduced real estate agent. The actual amount you receive is based on the purchase and/or sale price of your home. The program award is not available in certain transactions with restricted agent commissions (including many new construction, For Sale by Owner, or For Sale by iBuyer transactions). Your assigned agent can help you identify any transactions where the award would not be available. Participating program real estate agents are affiliated with the participating real estate brands: Coldwell Banker, Century 21, ERA, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, and Corcoran Group and all related logos are trademarks owned or licensed by Anywhere Real Estate or its affiliated companies. All real estate commissions are negotiable. This is not a solicitation if you are already represented by a real estate broker. Please check with a program coordinator for details. Program terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. Additional terms, conditions, and restrictions apply.

AARP commercial member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Anywhere pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP and its affiliates do not employ real estate agents and do not endorse the agents or brokerages made available by Anywhere. Neither AARP nor its affiliates are real estate brokers. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.

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