Curb appeal matters.  In fact, it is the first impression that can determine whether potential buyers stop their car or drive right by.  When your prospective buyers arrive for a showing, make sure that your home is freshly maintained and visually appealing; that it welcomes them enough to want to explore inside.

1. Take A Closer Look – Drive up to your own home.  Better yet, park down the street and slowly approach it with a critical eye.  What looks most attractive?  Where are the areas that could use some sprucing up?  It may help to take some digital photos from various angles.  Have a notepad ready to jot down your task list.  Feeling courageous?  Ask a trusted friend or neighbor to join you in your observations.  Sometimes we become so accustomed to seeing our home each day, that we lose perspective on what areas are starting to show wear and tear.
2. Rub A Dub Dub - Time to fill your buckets and start washing down the exterior of your home.  Consider renting a pressure washer to do the job.  Home Depot rents a powerful washer for less than $100 a day.  Let the true colors of your home shine by washing dirt and grime off of your walkways, decks, doors and garage.  And don’t forget your windows.  Taking the time to wash both the inside and out of each window allows for so much more light to shine in as buyers peruse your home.  If your windows haven’t received much love in recent years, consider leaving it to the pros for maximum impact.  We like Blue Diamond window cleaners or Fish Window Cleaning.
3. Clear The Clutter - Pack away any unnecessary gardening tools and supplies.  Neatly wrap up your hoses and say goodbye to any chipped pots or broken storage tubs.  Donate old outdoor toys and consider staining or refurbishing that worn swing set.  Look carefully at your patio furniture; is it time for a new umbrella or some colorful seat cushions?  Seasons Four in Lexington,  has an unbeatable selection of outdoor furniture.  Don’t forget to remove all trash, wipe out your barrels and conceal them from view.
4. Landscape Love - Yes, you should mow your lawn.  But there are so many other easy upgrades that can add a ‘wow factor’ to your outdoor space.  Start by raking and thatching the lawn.  Add a crisp edge and refill beds with new mulch.  Do you have any plantings that have overgrown so that they actually block part of your home?  Consider removing them so buyers get to actually see what they may soon own.  I convinced one client to remove a massive rhododendron bush that completely obstructed the entire left side of her home.  She replaced the giant bush with a small, colorful tree.  What a difference!  Less can be more.  You don’t need to replant your entire yard; consider a few areas that could use some refreshing.  There are great garden centers in our area, including Mahoney’s in Winchester, McCue’s in Woburn, and Wagon Wheel in Lexington. While you’ve got your gardening gloves on, don’t forget to pull weeds, especially those pesky ones growing between brick and concrete.
5. Maintenance Matters - Nothing negatively impacts a buyer’s first impression more than the lack of proper home maintenance.  Check for simple fixes like reattaching gutters and fixing downspouts.  In fact, make sure your downspouts are at least 3-5 feet away from your foundation to help prevent basement flooding.  Now would be the time to consider repointing bricks, fixing broken steps or sealing a crack in the driveway.  Never replaced that rusty gate latch or broken shutter?  It could make a real difference. You want to make sure you’ve addressed anything broken, worn or, most especially, potentially dangerous.
6. Final Touches - Your front entryway is worth a little extra time and attention, especially since buyers will most likely linger there as agents deal with lock boxes and keys.  Here is where you can add a little more color by repainting your door or simply adding bright pots of flowers nearby.  No time or money to repaint or replace a door? Consider new door hardware to give it a fresh look.  Check that your doorbell is working and that your house numbers are clean and not crooked. Remember to sweep the area clean of debris. Remove cobwebs from the ceiling and try Magic Eraser to refresh the trim color.  Maybe add a new welcome mat for that added touch?  Houzz can be a great visual resource for upgrading your front entryway.  Check out some of their photos to find your inspiration.

Taking the time to maintain the exterior of your home not only adds to its value, but can propel a faster sale.  It may be tempting to just mow the lawn and call it a day, but you may be missing out on real money in a final sale.  Buyers may be able to see the potential in a worn yard and home but they can also reduce their asking bid, knowing that they’ll have to do the work themselves in the future.  An appealing exterior also shows buyers your commitment to the care and maintenance of your home.  Remember, it doesn’t matter how nicely you’ve decorated your interior if buyers aren’t even interested in walking through the front door.

To learn more about the real estate services we offer, or to schedule a meeting, please contact us at 781-729-2329 or email Sven at sven@andersengrouprealty.com. We are always honored to assist with all of your real estate needs.