What is Curb Appeal?

The importance of creating a good first impression is considered very important for jobseekers and sales professionals. The same is true for the curb appeal of your home. Most potential homeowners are very clear about their requirements of the home they are seeking. In their quest to find that perfect home, buyers visit several “open house” events. Open house?…Why isn’t it called “open home?”  This is because when buyers tour open houses they are visually inspecting and analyzing the various tangible aspects of the house such as how spacious are the bedrooms, is the kitchen big enough, does the patio offer privacy and so on. All they are doing is looking at various houses which fit their specific requirements and criteria. But at some point in their search, they will find this one house that “feels like home.”

So what was magical about this one particular house that felt like home? It probably had all their desired needs on their checklist. But it may also have fulfilled their wants, emotional factors and other intangible feelings which gave them the feeling that this could be their home. Studies have shown that one of the factors that positively influence homebuyers’ emotions is the curb appeal of the house. Although this is such an important part of selling a house, surprisingly very few sellers invest time and money on improving curb appeal prior to putting their homes on the market.  Here are some simple steps you could take to significantly improve curb appeal of the house you are trying to sell.

Start with the exterior. If buyers don’t like what they see on the outside, they will perceive the inside to be not that great either, which means you won’t be able to bring them inside. Mow and edge the lawn, rake leaves, mulch flower beds and make the yard weed free. Trim bushes and get rid of overgrown or dead branches. If it is spring time plant some flowers. Having a lush green lawn and a well-landscaped yard is a big piece of the curb appeal puzzle. Consider having a seasonal wreath on the door or an American flag or the flag of your favorite sports team near the main door.

Pressure wash your driveway, walkway and sidings. Paint the exterior and interior if required. Clean windows inside and out with a glass cleaner. Stain and polish your main door if required. The same goes for door knobs and handles. Repair or replace broken shutters, gutters and shingles. Don’t forget the mailbox. Give it a fresh coat of paint or replace it if the one you have has worn out. Leave the outside lights on till about 10pm. Many people who work during the day and on weekends do their drive-byes in the evening after work. Ensure that the house number is clearly visible even at night.

After creating a wow factor on the outside do the same for the inside. Have all your carpets steam cleaned and vacuumed and your hardwood floors polished. Replace non-working bulbs, broken light fixtures and switches. Tighten hinges of cupboard doors and polish their door knobs. Clean the surfaces of stovetops, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator and oven. Don’t forget to clean and polish granite countertops. Organize tools and bicycles in the garage symmetrically. Clean and stain the patio.

Place fresh cut flowers on the kitchen island and/or in large planters on either side of the main door. Light candles that have subtle fragrances in the kitchen, bathroom and other places in the house. Turn on the fireplace if it is winter to create a warm and cozy ambiance. Bake a batch of cookies so that their aroma wafts through the entire house. It will have a lingering effect on the buyer.  If the house is located on a busy street or highway, play soft jazz or classical music to drown out traffic noise. This will also take care of noisy neighbors or their barking dogs.

Dust and clean mantles, furniture, drapes, curtains and other surfaces.  Replace broken blinds. Scrub shower walls and bathtub floors. Clean and disinfect sinks and toilets. Fix leaky faucets and showerheads. Ensure that walk-in closets are neatly organized.

After you have taken care of the above mentioned tasks get a second opinion. Ask a friend or your agent to walk through the exterior and interior of your house. They may find other small issues that you may have missed. Creating a good feeling involves touching various human senses including visibility, smell, touch and noise. While people’s preferences, tastes and choice vary, a nice smelling house with a clean and well organized interior and an inviting exterior can bring every house one step closer to becoming someone’s “home.”