When it comes to selling your home, first impressions matter a lot. That’s where curb appeal comes in. Just picture it: A potential buyer drives by your place, and in a matter of seconds, they form an opinion based on what they see from the street. That initial visual impact can either seal the deal or break it.
In this article, we’ll explore the essence of curb appeal and why it’s so important in the real estate market. Whether you’re getting ready to sell or just want to boost your home’s overall charm, understanding curb appeal is key.
Key takeaways:
- Curb appeal refers to a property’s visual attractiveness when viewed from a distance. Realtors often use this term to describe a property’s first impression on potential buyers.
- Affordable updates, like replacing light fixtures or tidying up the landscaping, can significantly improve curb appeal.
- Real estate agents often use their market expertise and experience to provide tailored recommendations to help you improve your property’s curb appeal.
What Is Curb Appeal?
Curb appeal is how the exterior of your home looks from the curb or street. It’s the first impression of your home and helps prospective buyers decide if they’re interested in looking at your home, just from its curbside appeal.
Curb appeal involves the visual appeal of your property and its typical exterior components, such as beautiful and well-maintained landscaping, clean siding and fresh paint. It highlights exterior details contributing to the overall aesthetic, safety and accessibility. It can also increase the value of your property.
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Why Does Curb Appeal Matter When Selling Your Home?
Curb appeal is a powerful tool for marketing a home and significantly influencing its perceived value and appeal to potential buyers. When buyers are looking for a new home, the exterior is often their first encounter, whether through online listings or when driving by. An attractive exterior not only catches their attention but also creates a positive appearance that sparks their curiosity about the interior.
According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), among REALTORS®, 92% have suggested sellers improve their curb appeal before listing a home for sale, and 98% said they believe curb appeal is important to attract a potential buyer. The findings from NAR reinforce that investing in curb appeal can impact the home’s sale price and speed up the selling process.
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Tips For Enhancing Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Improving your home’s curb appeal is a wise investment that not only makes your house look better, but also increases its market value. If you’re looking for ways to spruce up your exterior and enhance curb appeal, here are some simple yet effective ideas to get you started.
Liven Up The Landscaping
Want to wow your audience from the street? Enhancing your home’s curb appeal with landscaping can be achieved by focusing on four areas:
- Paths and walkways: Renewing paths and walkways with fresh, clean edges can improve your home’s curb appeal. Repair cracks or uneven surfaces and power wash the driveway to create a safe and inviting entrance.
- Trees, hedges and lawns: Trim overgrown trees, lawns and hedges to create a neat and polished look. Removing any dead or unsightly branches will also improve the overall aesthetic.
- Gardens and bare patches: Transform your garden by introducing colorful, blooming flowers and plants. Address any bare patches by reseeding or adding fresh mulch. This will help create a lush and cohesive garden that adds visual interest and vibrancy to your outdoor space
- Fences and walls: Consider upgrading your fences and walls by applying a fresh coat of paint or stain to improve their appearance. Repair any damaged sections to ensure they provide a well-maintained boundary.
Refresh The Exterior
A little paint goes a long way. Improving a home’s exterior can spruce up your home’s curb appeal by focusing on these four areas:
- Exterior facade, trim and shutters: Boost your home’s curb appeal by giving the facade a fresh coat of exterior paint. Repair any peeling or damaged trim and make sure that the shutters are in good condition.
- Masonry and stonework: Inspect and repair any cracked or damaged masonry or stonework. Power washing the facade or driveway can revitalize brick or stone surfaces, contributing to a clean exterior.
- Gutters and roofing: It’s advisable to take care of your gutter system by cleaning out any debris and ensuring it’s correctly attached. Fix or replace any damaged roofing to maintain a polished appearance and prevent any leaks that could concern potential home buyers.
- Exterior windows and frames: Upgrade the visual appeal by cleaning windows thoroughly and replacing any damaged or outdated frames. Consider adding window boxes or shutters to create a cohesive and well-designed exterior that adds value to your home.
Enhance The Entryway
Make a great first impression. Enhancing your home’s entryway can help boost your home’s curb appeal by focusing on these four areas:
- Staging and signage: You can improve your home’s entry by adding welcoming touches like potted plants and a new doormat. Using an attractive welcome mat on your porch can create an inviting feel for your visitors.
- Front door: Make a statement with a fresh, vibrant paint color for your front door. Upgrade the hardware and add stylish details like a new knocker or doorbell to create a captivating focal point at the entry. You can also add a digital smart doorbell like Ring so you can see who is at your door on your phone.
- Stairs and railings: Fixing up any damaged stairs or railings can leave a positive first impression on your guests and keep them safe. Add a railing if you don’t have one to help guests who can’t walk up stairs get to your door safely and conveniently.
- Outside lighting: Illuminate the entryway with stylish lighting fixtures. Add pathway lights or update existing ones for a warm and inviting atmosphere, ensuring your home stands out even at night.
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How Can You Finance Curb Appeal Improvements?
If you plan on staying in your home for at least 5 years and want to improve its curb appeal, you can use the equity you’ve built in your home to fund the improvements. A few options include a cash-out refinance, a home equity loan and a home equity line of credit (HELOC), which often have lower interest rates than personal loans and are more attractive for long-term stays.
However, a personal loan may be a better choice if your plan involves selling your home soon. Personal loans are unsecured, meaning they don’t use your home as collateral and typically have a quicker approval process. This makes them a flexible and efficient option for financing curb appeal projects when you anticipate a short-term commitment to the property.
If financing home improvements isn’t within your budget, try researching some budget-friendly enhancements, such as adding some new plants or upgrading your outdoor lighting with new light fixtures.
Curb Appeal FAQ
Now that we have reviewed what curb appeal is and how that improving your home’s curb appeal can help you over time, let’s look at some frequently asked questions:
Always disclose when images have been digitally altered, and make sure they accurately reflect the property’s true condition. Over-editing – such as changing structural elements or key features – can mislead buyers and may lead to legal issues.
Keep in mind that some curb appeal upgrades – like major landscaping, structural changes, or exterior renovations – may require permits, depending on your city’s regulations. It’s best to consult a local general contractor or do your own research to understand what’s allowed and what to expect in terms of cost and compliance.
The Bottom Line
Improving your home’s curb appeal can offer many benefits when it comes to selling your property. It can add value to your home and make it more enticing to potential buyers. Even if you plan to sell later, investing in your home’s curb appeal can be a smart financial move!
Before starting any curb appeal project, establish your budget and focus on changes that offer a strong return on investment, like updating your front door, landscaping or exterior lighting. Avoid low-ROI projects such as extravagant water features or overly personalized design choices that may not appeal to a broad audience. Always consult your HOA for design restrictions and aim for subtle updates.
If you’re unsure where to begin, a local real estate agent or home improvement professional can offer guidance on the best upgrades for your market. Ready to get started? QuickenLoans can match you with a lender to explore your options for a personal loan, HELOC or home equity loan to help fund your curb appeal upgrades today.
Ben Shapiro
Ben Shapiro is an award-winning financial analyst with nearly a decade of experience working in corporate finance in big banks, small-to-medium-size businesses, and mortgage finance. His expertise includes strategic application of macroeconomic analysis, financial data analysis, financial forecasting and strategic scenario planning. For the past four years, he has focused on the mortgage industry, applying economics to forecasting and strategic decision-making at Quicken Loans. Ben earned a bachelor’s degree in business with a minor in economics from California State University, Northridge, graduating cum laude and with honors. He also served as an officer in an allied military for five years, responsible for the welfare of 300 soldiers and eight direct reports before age 25.
