Staying Fit
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.
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)