What You Need to Know About Curb Appeal

Curb Appeal is the 1st Impression of Your Home to Visitors.

Examination:

Driveway:

Very dominant feature

the first things that a person sees when they arrive at your home.

If your driveway is oil-stained it can be cleaned easily.

Cracks can be repaired easily with a  compound

     take care of smaller cracks before they become larger

a seal-coat (For asphalt driveways)can often make a big difference in appearance and help prolong the asphalt as well

If your driveway is badly damaged, it's time to be thinking about replacement. You can replace the driveway with the same material as before, or consider an updated look by using paving stones instead -- they hold up well in all types of weather, and can even be a very satisfying do-it-yourself project.

Walkways:

Is there a clear and safe path to your front door?

You may not mind walking across your front lawn, but guests and prospective buyers would definitely prefer a walkway.

Get some ideas from Lowes or Home Depot

Landscaping:

Lets have a little be honest …

do you actually have any?      Is it well maintained?

Landscaping is a very critical part of curb appeal and usually the most cost effective way to create attraction to your home.

Example:

Cut back or remove trees and bushes that have gotten out of control.

Feed the lawn to get it to green up again, or consider removing all or part of it and replacing it with low-maintenance materials.

In regard to planter beds, be sure they're weeded and have fresh bark in them. Plan your landscaping to create a visual appeal by not having all the same type of plant.

Intersperse some plants that provide spots of color at different times of the year, and mix plants for different heights as well.

This is all relatively extremely inexpensive.

Shade Trees:

Consider adding a couple of new shade trees in front.

Plant a tree help the environment!

Trees help a home look more established and appealing

Trees can help lower your summer cooling costs as well.

Trees look best planted in odd numbers

Speak with the folks at your local nursery they can help with proper spacing.

Exterior Paint:

The most critical part of the outside of your home is how your paint job looks.

A fresh coat of paint in up-to-date colors works wonders, while old, peeling paint in a color scheme that went out of style when Regan was president can really ruin a first impression.

If the paint is in generally good condition with just a few bad spots …

It would take only a couple of hours with a paint scraper and a can of exterior primer to get things ready for touch up.

Go to paint store and have them match you up a gallon of paint and touch up the primed areas so they blend in.

You might also want to consider repainting the eaves or window trim in a fresh new color to liven things up a little. (very important)

A New Entrance:

The front door is one spot that every visitor has to pass though … it makes a lasting impression.

A fresh coat of paint or stain can sometimes do the trick, but if your door is badly beat up replace it.

Find a Door Company (not a home center) to have a new door matched to your existing frame. The door company will cut the door, mortise the hinges, and drill for the locks using your old door as a pattern, so you can slip the new door right into place without expensive frame alterations or extensive carpentry.

Sooth all squeaks or groans when it opens

How does the operation of the door handle and deadbolt work?

check the condition of the weather stripping

Cleaning:

Pick up any trash that's accumulated, including dead leaves, cigarette butts and other small debris.

Wash the siding to remove dirt, dust and cobwebs, and wash the windows.

Hose off the walkways periodically,

All exterior lighting should be operational.

clean off the front porch -- including porch furniture, toys, etc…

I hope this helps ...