A property’s curb appeal naturally makes a critical first
impression. If everything within the front
space is well-chosen and in perfect repair—from the mailbox
and house numbers to the walkway and landscaping—buyers will think this house
is obviously well-cared for.
Here are a few things to look at on your home before putting
your house on the market:
Front door
A front door can be a home’s focal point—but you don’t want
that to be because of its peeling
paint or dinged hardware. Replacing an entryway door with a
new steel door (which costs about $1,200) actually offers among the biggest
bang for the buck at resale (an average of 73 percent of the cost may be
recouped, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2011–2012 Cost vs. Value Report,
which analyzed 35 remodeling projects’ payback potential).
Sometimes a front door can be salvaged with a fresh coat of
paint. Just don’t overdo it: Vail recalls when her clients went too bold with
their door’s hue—a vivid blue that didn’t
complement the home. It had dated brass handle and lock
hardware, too. (Satin nickel and black or oil-rubbed bronze are more the trend
these days.)
Windows
Wash them—inside and out—and remove the screens for
added sparkle. Then, try dressing up
the windows with flower boxes, suggests Peggy Johnson, owner
of Redesign + More, a Charlotte, N.C., interior design and staging firm. Also,
consider a new color for shutters. The trend is a shift away from high-contrast
green, red, or black to more monochromatic palettes that blend with the rest of
the house, according to the Paint Quality Institute.
Garage
Depending on its orientation to the house, a garage
can make a huge impact. Does the door need
paint or repairs? Should it be replaced? While sellers might
not be willing to spend on a stylish new cedar wood door, they can find more
budget-friendly options in metal or fiberglass. A new steel garage door can
cost about $1,500, but sellers, in average, recoup nearly 72 percent of that
investment at resale, according to the Cost vs. Value Report.
Don’t overlook this key selling point. “It’s an iconic
symbol of American living,” Vail says. “‘Sell’ your front porch as additional
square footage by staging it with as much care as you would other rooms. Invite
buyers to ‘sit a spell’ with a pair of rocking chairs, Adirondacks, a porch
swing, or even an outdoor living suite.” And don’t forget to “add a coffee and
a side table for writing up contracts,” Vail notes.
Driveway
Is the driveway covered with cracks and oil stains?
If sellers can’t afford a complete resurfacing
(which may cost about $2,000 for concrete driveways),
encourage them to look into patching up cracks using premixed concrete
materials, Johnson says. Driveway cracks a quarter-inch or smaller may be able
to be filled with asphalt or concrete that comes in caulk-like tubes. A
patching compound for asphalt can be used for larger cracks. Some experts
recommend kitty litter for removing oil stains, though hardware stores offer
designated products, too.
After dark
Evening curb appeal also matters. “Conceal a couple of
portable outdoor lamps and aim them at the house or a beautiful tree for
low-cost, high-value impact,” Vail says. Have outdoor lights on a timer so
they’re always on for nighttime showings. Interior lights, too, work to create
a warm glow from the curb. If the home isn’t wired outdoors, line a
pathway to the door with solar lights. “The technology has improved
considerably over the past few years, and solar lights are much cheaper to
install than hardwired lights,” Vail says. “Plus, sellers could probably take
the lights with them when they move.
Original Article Source: http://realtormag.realtor.org/home-and-design/feature/article/2012/09/amp-up-curb-appeal
Photo Credit: Brian Gautreau Creative Commons License
Mary Zohar, is a long-standing member of the Coldwell Banker
North Tampa Office and an active member of the Greater Tampa Associates of
Realtors. Besides having a Bachelor in Science from the University of Florida,
she holds: Certified Home Marketing Specialist, Certified Negotiation
Specialist, e-Pro, Short Sale and Foreclosure, and Accredited Buyer
Representative and Certified Residential Specialist certifications; and
received the International Diamond Society Award this past year. She also is
the representative of the North Tampa office for Coldwell Banker CARES. And is current in Continuing Education and
licensure for the State of Florida.
Having lived in the Tampa Bay area since 1981, makes her an
expert in the community at large. If she doesn't know what you're looking for,
she surely knows who to ask or how to find out. Watching Tampa Bay grow, after
these years makes her knowledge priceless. She can be reached at 813-417-6696,
and is eager to assist you with all of your Real Estate needs.
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