How many times have you heard the phrase, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression?” Most likely, you’ve heard it many times, but only because it’s true, especially for people who have their homes for sale. Folks who put their homes on the market often find themselves spending a fair amount of money in an effort to increase their home’s “curb appeal.” This is especially true in tight markets.
With some forethought, though, there are several things you can do on a day-by-day or year-by-year basis to keep up the maintenance and esthetic appeal of your home. When the time comes, and you are ready to sell, a lot of the curb appeal factor will be taken care of, and, in the meantime, you’ll have a home that is more comfortable to live in. Here are five simple ways to help create and keep your home’s curb appeal:
1) BE GREEN
We all know that the price of energy is going up all the time. Minor energy-saving improvements in a home can save you money in the short run, and when the time comes to put your home on the market, the fact that these steps are already completed can make your home more attractive to savvy prospects. A history of lower utility bills can make your home look enticing to a prospective buyer. Simple tips to keep costs down include allowing hot foods to cool before placing them in the refrigerator, which will decrease the power required to maintain the set operating temperature. Set your heating and cooling system thermostat at 68 in the winter and 78 in the summer. When you need to replace an incandescent bulb, install an energy-efficient bulb such as a CFL or LED. And don’t overlook the little things like placing insulating plugs over unused outlets; believe it or not, this can cut down on drafts and lower heating and cooling costs!
2) TREAT YOUR WINDOWS RIGHT
New curtains, shades and blinds can quickly boost the appeal of any room. While there is expense involved, these improvements can definitely make your home more attractive to prospective buyers. If you know your home will be up for sale soon, try to choose quality materials and attractive colors. Keep the color scheme neutral to avoid imposing your decorating tastes on potential future owners. Also, keep in mind the “Be Green” motto; window treatments made from suitable materials and utilized correctly can help keep costs down while adding a warm and homey touch to a dwelling.
3) KEEP UP WITH SPRING CLEANING
If you have a deck, make sure it’s cleaned and sealed each and every year. Performing this bit of maintenance may take time and money, but it will ensure that your deck remains both safe and attractive for you and a prospective future owner. A neglected, dirty and rotting deck can become a considerable expense if you need to completely replace it before putting the home up for sale. The same rule holds true for roofing; at least once per year, check your roof carefully or have it professionally inspected and perform any maintenance it may require. It is far more cost-effective for you, the seller, to maintain the integrity of your roof and keep the house protected than risking the potential damage to the inside and outside of your home that a poorly maintained roof can cause. Potential buyers will be quickly turned off from purchasing your home if they feel the roof is impaired. Spending a few dollars every year may prevent the need for a costly roof replacement and structural repair when it comes time to sell your home.
4) KITCHEN POLICE
Often, redoing a kitchen is a “to-do” item for people who put their homes up for sale. This added cost can be avoided if you keep your kitchen clean, neat, and organized. Straighten and organize your countertops so that they look spacious and attractive. Clean your cabinets and drawers, and make sure they don’t look crowded and small by cramming too many items into them. The kitchen is at the heart of a home, and taking the minimal effort to keep it in order is not only pleasing to potential buyers, but it makes your life more excellent too.
5) PAINT
Another simple step is a fresh coat of paint. Not only does it make a tired room look fresh and new again, but it also helps increase the life of walls and other surfaces. As with window treatments, if you know you’ll be putting your house on the market in the near future, try to choose attractive but relatively neutral colors that you like, and potential buyers will find them aesthetically attractive.
Simple steps like annual maintenance and minor facelifts may cost you a little money, but they can help you move your home. Keeping up with these tasks through the years will save you from having to pay out big bucks for home improvements just before a sale and possibly help your house sell quickly.