Curb appeal - ask any real estate agent and they will tell you how important it is. Buyers make up their minds in a short period of time. They will not even bother to go into a house that lacks "curb appeal".
How do you define "curb appeal" - well it is different to every Buyer. One man's trash is another man's treasure is my motto. It's intangible, fleeting, and emotional but we have all experienced it. Something about the house, the neighborhood etc cause the heart to beat a little faster. Maybe it's clapboard instead of vinyl siding or just the opposite. Maybe it the plantings or maybe its the color. Who ever really knows. Something calls out and says "This could be the one!"
Neighborhoods have "curb appeal" as well. If all the homes are well maintained, there are sidewalks, playgrounds and other amenities - this promotes "curb appeal". If your neighbor's is poorly kept up or well maintained it does affect a home's value.
So how can you measure it as a Seller? One way is to take several pictures from a variety of angles and show them to your friends, family, colleagues and anyone known for giving painfully objective feedback. Find out what others think need improvement and what's appealing. Ask about the yard at the local nursery. Show them the pics and ask for suggestions. And most importantly ask your real estate agent what they think. Use their experience to build a "to do" list to bring your home up to show condition.
You will probably be surprised by the little things you can do to enhance the property for sale. Simple things from painting the front door or garage door to adding a few flowers near the front door or mailbox. Bigger tasks that can breath fresh life into a home include painting the exterior in a neutral color. Bright purple or pink is obviously not the best choice!
Clean up the yard - mow, rake, trim. Trim braches away from doors, windows and walkways. Get rid of the clutter - toys, garden gnomes, dead cars and anything with a blue tarp on it. Remove the dog bombs, reseed the patchy areas and fill in any holes. Look at the house and clean all the windows, wash down the driveway, clean outdoor furniture.
A little elbow grease can go a long way in the successful sale of any home! Captivate those Buyers at the curb!
(c) 2009 Shannon Aldrich, Keller Williams Coastal Realty Portsmouth NH
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