You hear about Curb Appeal when selling or buying a house, but what is it and how do you get it?
Does it means the house has nice curbs? Well, that's a good start but Curb Appeal to the buyer means that when they see a picture of your exterior on the MLS, a mental "check mark" is placed by your listing.
Curb Appeal means that when a Buyer drives by your house, they want to schedule a viewing appointment through their Realtor.
Curb Appeal means that when Your Buyer pulls up for their appointment, they want to go in and they are eager to see the rest of the house.
Curb Appeal sets the tone for the rest of the viewing. Your Buyer is now predisposed to want to like the house. They are hoping the interior will match what they just saw.
So, how do you get it? Here are 10 points to consider:
1. Take a Walk! It's not just a healthy thing to do, but sometimes we're complacent with our surroundings. So, take a walk (or slow drive ) around your neighborhood and look at the curb appeal of your neighbors. You might see that your lawn is not really green but yellow/brown/green when compared with your neighbors. Make note of the houses that appeal to you and what stands out.
2. Pay Your House a Visit! Most of us enter our homes through the garage or back door. When is the last time you "called on" your own home? What you see is what your Buyers will see. Don't be shy. Start at the driveway or by the curb and pretend you're looking at your home through a buyer's eyes. Take a critical look.
Cracks in the sidewalk? Are you dodging overhanging limbs? And what does your Welcome Mat say?? One of my favorite mats was at a friend's back door. It said "Go Away" . I love it, but.... not for welcoming your buyers.
If you have planters and pots who have been waiting to host a new, healthy plant for a few years now, then ditch them.
3. Off with their heads (or legs). Take a look at your poor neglected flowers. Time to "dead head" them. Remove the flowers that have seen their best days. And particularly here in Florida where plants can grow several feet overnight, it's important to take a look at some of those plants that have gotten too leggy . You know the ones I mean.... you start to see more stem and branch then green leaves. Trust me, those stems are just going to get leggier and the green will be at the very top of the bush.
Why is this so important? Neglected landscaping says to your Buyer that there are probably other areas of or in the house that have also been neglected.
4. Color My World! Like your interior paint scheme, adding "pops" of color in your landscaping takes it from being all green and bland to exciting.
You can take a large clay pot and fill it with whatever colorful flower is in season. Caution: Do not plant anything that will take daily watering and care if your schedule will not permit that.
5. Cover it Up!! It's amazing what a layer of fresh mulch does for dirt. Think of a 3 layer chocolate cake with raspberry filling. Without the ganache frosting, though, it's just cake. Add the frosting and now you have a beautiful dessert. Same thing with mulch.
6. Get a Handle on it! Your buyer walks up to your front door with her Realtor. More than likely they will spend some time there as the Realtor has to fidget with the lock box or whatever and then fiddle with the keys to open the door.
What are the Buyers doing??? They're eying the place! They have plenty of time here to notice that your once beautiful door handle is now rusted or tarnished. Or they may see your former beautiful wood door is discolored and fading.
Time to hit Home Depot or Lowes. It's a very small investment for the return you'll get.
7. Oh what a Tangled Web We Weave.... As mentioned in #6, your buyers will have plenty of time as they're waiting to enter your home to size it up. If they have to walk through spider webs to even make it to your front door, then unless they're into long nature walks, this is not a good feature. Also look up by your door and garage. Check out the corners for those pesky webs.
8. Heads UP: What takes up a large part of a buyer's visual space when they approach your home? Your roof! It has to pass inspections anyway so take care of whatever needs to be done BEFORE you list it. Can it be cleaned? Re-shingled?
What you don't want it to say to the Buyer is: "That's another $30,000 we have to put into the house if we buy it."
9. Mail Call! In front of some of our houses here in South Florida stand manatees with mailboxes for their mouths. Now I love manatees but in reality, they're not a pretty animal. I've also seen mailboxes that finally got tired of being straightened after being endlessly hit and have now given up and have a defeated look to them.
Get my drift? Sellers, your mailbox is one of the first things your buyer will see. Make it count.
10. Valet please! Everyone in the family has a car now. There's probably one waiting for your 10 year old when he or she comes of age. Unless you have a super-sized driveway and front yard, filling your driveway with all of your cars thus making your buyer have to walk a maze to get to your front door detracts from the experience.
When showing your house, arrange to have your cars either in the garage or elsewhere. Let your Buyer see the house!
What all of this boils down to is that you want the viewing experience for the buyer to be a positive one and that will start with the curb appeal of your house. The investment you make can pay off with a quick sale.
For more information enlist the services of your local professional home stager.
Kathy, good information - thanks for sharing.
Hi Kathy- Hope you can put it to good use.
Kathy ~ this post is a great recap of what "curb appeal" really means, with good step-by-step ideas for sellers to follow. (that first photo of the old corrugated shack was priceless!)
Kathy, excellent points and a great post my friend.............you know what's happening.
Question..............you're on vacation, why are you blogging??????????????????????
Have fun.
Kathy - great tips here. Hmmm, you might think of planting some geraniums around the "house" at the top of your blog... or barring that, perhaps a bulldozer?...
Kathy
Great post your are right on target.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Maureen- I actually saw that shack on a bike ride in a park near here. Thought it might make for a good Blog photo.
Roger- wrote this via Kompozer while I was in the car. It beats singing "99 Bottles of beer on the wall".
Sally- I vote for the bulldozer! I think even geraniums wouldn't help.
Lou- Thanks for stopping by. I can remember as a buyer not going into a house that had terrible curb appeal.
Clever post with great information for sellers Kathy! As you mentioned, a positive first impression will get the tour started out on a positive note and create curiosity to see more.
Michele- That old saying of how we only have a few seconds to make a good first impression certainly does hold true!
Good post. Thanks!
Great post Kathy. I suggested for a feature and I'm reblogging. Up here, in the mountains, curb appeal is yet another thing that sellers rarely consider important. I keep telling them that just because we don't have curbs doesn't meaning that the "drive-up appeal" isn't important. Where you headed?
Kathy great post! I love the shack! I'm going to 'suggest' it.
Shar- Glad you stopped by. I bet you have some tips that you could add as well.
Ginger- Wow, thanks for "Suggesting" and for the re-blog. I forget that not every community has "curbs". In Houston for my niece's wedding and for a mini-reunion of my junior high car pool group. We all new each other all the way through elementary school.
Janice- Thanks for "suggesting". I knew that shack would come in handy someday!!!
Excellent post-love each point and it reminds me I need to make a house visit to my own home!! LOL!
Congratulations on your feature Miss Kathy...............great job!
Thanks for the good thoughts and the pictures to emphasis your ideas.
There are many potential buyers who will not even get out of the car.
Reminder for realtors, please go inside and leave your card as an appreciation for the home owner who might have spent a great deal of time to prepare the home for showing even though they missed your points.
Please don't criticize the things which your potential buyer was turned off about as being professionals we sometimes get clients who just don't want to listen to us and in some cases, it is very possible that they are not able to either physically or financially. We need to always "judge favorably".
remember that if we speak negatively in front of our customers that they will believe that we do so about them when they are not present.
GREAT POST!
St Louis Painter
Great points, all! And so many of them are inexpensive to remedy.
Good information for our sellers, they need to realize how important the first impression is in getting their property sold. Nice post.
Great suggestions, Kathy!
Lots of good tips for sellers and if they follow them, they certainly will attract more buyers.
Kathy, very well presented and a great place for sellers to start! I'm still thinking about the manatee mailbox...oh my...
Kathy,
Many of these aren't ones I've thought about - mailboxes, for example! Thanks a million.
I like your post, Kathy. We can't stress this stuff enough to sellers. You present the points in a new and refreshing light that's easy to read.
Thanks!
I need to share this post with some of my sellers. They could use the advice.
I just bookmarked this blog. Great tips and advice, thank you!
This is exactly what I told one of my clients at her listing. She has come through like a champ. Her yard was always very well kept, but when she decided to take a look around she made a few changes and we then started getting showings for her property. Your blog was very informative and I am going to print it and keep so I can share this with future clients. Thank you for taking the time to fill us up with some great knowledge.
This is exactly what I told one of my clients at her listing. She has come through like a champ. Her yard was always very well kept, but when she decided to take a look around she made a few changes and we then started getting showings for her property. Your blog was very informative and I am going to print it and keep so I can share this with future clients. Thank you for taking the time to fill us up with some great knowledge.
This is great information, thanks for posting it! I will send this to one of my seller clients.
This is a good list with some simple ideas that will make a big difference!
Kathy - It's amazing how seller tends to forget the minor things that makes their house look good form the outside. Minor things can be a big deal especially if you have other competition in the neighborhood.
Kathy,
Great post and congratulations on the feature. It is a gold star post for sure. Well done. :)
Steve
Hi Kathy - What wonderful tips for sellers! I'm definitely bookmarking this one. Have a great weekend! :)
Great tips!!
Kathy - great list!
Sellers, especially take note of Kathy's point as to how much time Buyers spend on your front porch while we're opening the lockbox and opening your door - the cob webs, old mailbox and dead plants are a huge turn off! Also make sure your key works easily!!
This is indeed a great list! Something like this should go to every homeowner when their home gets listed!
Kathy,
This is an excellent list, Thanks for sharing it with us. Have a great weekend.
Excellent tips in one nifty list. Thanks!
Will add the obvious but so often overlooked: MOW THE LAWN please...
Kathy - a terrific list, I like the take a walk idea, hope you don't mind if I borrow it!
This is a really good post, it puts seller's in the buyer's position. It's easier to notice stuff from a different perspective.
Nice check list. I have lists and lists, but visuals always add to the impact.
If you have a seller on the fence about making changes to make the house have greater curb appeal, especially when they are wanting top dollar, is to give them your flip video camera and have them do theri own virtual tour to point out the high points, This gets them out of their own heads.
Good morning Kathy,
A great list..I like Mike like your "take a walk" idea. Visuals really drive it home..well writen post!
Awesome - perfect list for curb appeal.
Thanks
Very creative post and informative as well.
Kathy:
I loved your running commentary, its so true that most homeowners never walk up to their home like visitors do...
Kathy, so many outstanding points to offer, probably all gleaned from something you saw recently and maybe all from the same house? Thanks for sharing and congratulations on the feature
Kathy, These are all great, yet some not so obvious, things to keep in mind. Comparing your home to others in the neighborhood and entering through the door the potential buyers will be huge eye openers for most sellers. Thank you for sharing!
Kathy - It is the only chance the seller has to make a first (and lasting) impression.
Good post Kathy! We just listed a home in a beautiful neighborhood with great curb appeal.
Hi Kathy -- Very practical advice -- lots of work and sellers should prepare their home for sale months in advance so they are ready on day one, not day 30! :)
Hey Kathy! congrats on the well deserved feature! You definately should post this on your web site for prospective clients!!
Cathy- Very funny, I can see a lot of Realtors and Stagers "taking a visit" to their own homes now!
Roger- Just saw it this morning as I was rushing out the door to help with my niece's last minute wedding plans.
Sonny- Very Good points. You know you're right, We all need to be aware of what we say. And, I agree, that it would be nice if cards were left so that when the seller does come home they will know that the appointment had been kept.
Richard- Thanks for stopping by. We do try to make staging as painless as we can.
Kathy...Nicely done post. I liked the list and the graphics also.
Jerry Gray CRB,CRS,GRI / Allen Tate Realtors / Winston Salem, NC / 336-918-2433
Diane- Sometimes I think it's helpful to show the sellers photos of their house on-line so they can see how it will look to others.
Kathy K- Thank you for dropping by. Hope these help you with your sellers.
Joan- you're right. We have to hope the sellers will follow the hints. After all, it will only help get their home sold .
Sarah - I'll have to try to find a pic of the Manatee Mailbox. They also make Dolphin mailboxes as well.
Irene- It's easy to forget the mailboxes, isn't it. Sometimes there's just so much to take in we try to hit the highlights and forget about the little details.
Waynette- These points are not new but sometimes we just need to serve them on a new plate!
Great post Kathy, I am about to take a listing that must have read this before she decided to list. Her home is the epitome of curb appeal. You've made some great points!
Erik- glad to share this with you and good luck with your sellers.
Craig- Hope this can help you with your sellers! Let me know if you can think of any other tips!
James- sometimes, seeing is believing! Good luck with your client.
Shawn- hope this works for your seller. It's easy and relatively inexpensive, they just have to want to do it.
Amy- they are pretty easy aren't they. It's a matter of getting the seller to see it.
Mike- so right- it's the things we all take for granted or become accustomed to that we tend to overlook when getting our houses ready for sale.
Steve- Thanks so much. I guess this new "suggest" button can be a blessing!
Hi Coleen- Glad you liked this and hope it helps you with your sellers. Just passed through Gainesville on my recent road trip!
Stephanie- I just walked through a neighborhood and some of the houses could use these tips! It's amazing what you can see when you take a walk through a neighborhood.
Lori- Good point about the key. It makes it so much harder for the Realtor to sell your house if they either can't get into it or if it takes several "trys" to get the key to work.
Hey Barbara-Jo- It would make a good addition to a Listing Agent's "tool kit".
Ron and Alexandra- Thanks! Am celebrating my niece's wedding. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Anna- Hey mowing the lawn seems obvious but you'd be surprised, right! It should definiteyly be added to the list.
Mike S- feel free to borrow it and I hope it brings you lots of sales!!
Erik A- I suggest the same thing for the home's interior. Take your sellers to some similar listings in the area!
Jerry- We all "live" this day in and day out; this may be the first time our sellers have sold a home. We can't assume they know what we take for granted.
Joe- good idea about using the Flip video! We could have them switch roles and they be the Realtor and you the buyer.
Dorie- Thanks and good morning to you too. I actually used this tactic with a recent client. He got the idea and had a contract in less than 5 weeks.
Shari- I'm a big list maker. I think it's easier for the sellers to follow.
Virginia- Why "Thank you". I have to credit the creativity to driving in the car all day on my way to Houston and one too many cups of coffee!!
Brent- Sellers have the ability to give their house the right curb appeal. They just need a little help.
Ed S- not just one house but a collections of many. Thanks for stopping by.
Bruce- Glad you stopped by. I know in my own house I rarely enter through the front door.
Susan- so right. If they like the way the home looks from the outside, they'll really WANT to like the rest of the house.
To the Kasey Group- best of luck with your listing.
Chris- good tip! I have had clients who asked for a consultation months in advance of placing their home on the market. And, why not do any upgrades to your house while you're living in it and able to enjoy it.
Karen- Thank you and I had not thought of that. Thank YOU for the reminder.
Jerry- Thanks! I always like to add graphics. Must be the kid in me... I like looking at the pictures!!
Phil- wow! Good luck with the listing and I bet it will be a quick sale. b
Great tips Kathy and the way you convey your message is great too.
thanks for the time to post today.
Patricia
Kathy, glad to help make any well written and informative blog post that's staging related a FEATURE. Happy that it actually works. HAVE FUN!
Very useful post ! Thank you for sharing some excellent points to consider.
Gary- Good tip. If you open the door and your Buyers pass out, it's a good sign there's something 'odiferous afoot!.
Debra- Many thanks for your very kind words.
Patricia- We've got to all work together to get those homes sold!
Ginger- Right on, Ginger!!! And I love hearing from Realtors!
Phil- Hope that bring you many many sales!.
Kathy - These are great recommendations. It's always bad when you pull up in front of a house, a client looks at it, doesn't even get out of the car, and says, "Never mind. Let's go to the next one."
Christine- I have to say I can really relate to that. Years ago when we were looking for a house we pulled up to an appointment with our Realtor but after seeing the front of it, my husband didn't even want to get out.
Great points. About mailboxes - never thought about it but I hate the manatee, bass fish and like out on front of homes!
Gary- I've seen some pretty funny mailboxes!
Congratulations on the well deserved Feature Kathy! Is this your first?! Yay! Great info too!
Hi Karen- thank you for your support. Acutally I had my first one a few months ago but never received a star. Guess I'll have to check on that! But, it's always fun to get one.
Great post and worthy of a Reblog to my FB readers !!!!!!!! Thanks for compiling this !
Michael- Thanks and hope your FB readers enjoy it.
Kathy, fabulous post with some GREAT tips! It's so true that we have to visit our own houses when they're on the market and really think like a buyer thinks.
Hi Annie- We all become acclimated to our environment. Even a Stager needs a stager!
Not sure why I didn't see this until now, but Congrats on the well deserved Feature! Awesome post with awesome advice!
Thanks Sharon. I was on the road and am still playing catch up here at AR.
Aloha Kathy,
Super tips for maximizing curb appeal! I really like #2 visit your home, many buyers stop seeing the state of dishevelment of their property, which doesn't happen with fresh eyed buyers. I'm reposting this one, mahalo!
Peace,
Are you saying there's something wrong with that shed? I don't get it. It looks perfectly fine to me. =P Totally joking! How difficult would it be to just tear that thing down!?
Kimo- glad to hear from you. Thanks for the re-post! We all become immune to our own homes.
Lisa-Cute shed, huh! I took that at River Bend Park by Jupiter!
Great article, guess I missed this one. Our foilage gets out of control like Floridas, sellers need to cut it back or down! I'm going to re-blog!
Cindy- I remember living in Houston, I needed to weed every few days it seems. That and raking leaves!
"Go Away"...I've seen that one, and a few other "funny" ones that some homeowners don't get why they are inappropriate when selling...I really don't like having to explain that stuff, (I don't want to be insulting!) it seems like common sense to me!
Cheryl, my friends used to have that mat ("Go Away") in their garage. But, when you're selling your house it may send the wrong message. Common Sense? there seems to be a shortage of that lately! It is hard pointing out what seems to be so obvious to you and me.
Kathy, Great post. Yes sometimes we need to visit our house like others do, I usually come in from the garage. You can get attacked by plants, so trimming plants could be nice for your guest. Also its a good idea to hide all the cars when selling your house, so one can see the home. Curb appeal helps sell the house.
Hi Eva, Thanks for stopping by. Sometimes we become so concerned about what our home looks like on the inside we forget that our Buyers have to be "sold" before they even get out of their car. Hope to see you at the next RAPB Lunch on the House.
Kathy, I miss so many great posts and this is one of them! I am putting a link on my FBLBP to this post. definitely glad it was featured and sorry I missed it!
Ana