(StatePoint) Looking to sell your home? Then improve its curb appeal. That’s the advice of realtors who say that many home buyers won’t even get out of their cars unless they like the way the house looks from the street.
“Today, buyers can be choosy. Overgrown bushes, peeling paint or faded shutters are enough to stop some people from even getting out of the car,” says Joanne Meredith-Nolan, real estate sales agent with Laffey Fine Homes.
How do you make sure that your home isn’t passed by? According to Fypon, a polyurethane manufacturer, the Three C’s of Curb Appeal are Clean, Clutter-free and Colorful. Experts say that to achieve those goals it’s helpful to take a “top down” approach.
Start with the roof. Is it in good shape, clean and colorful? Does it complement the style of your home? If a new roof is in your future, consider a polymer slate or shake roofing product, like those from DaVinci Roofscapes. Offered in 50 standard colors and a multitude of color blends, these hardworking roofs are impact- and fire- resistant and are backed by a lifetime limited warranty.
Working your way down the home, make sure the siding, shutters and trim are in very good shape, making these upgrades before putting your house on the market.
“No buyer wants to look at a home and think that the first thing he or she will have to do is paint, or replace rotting wood trim,” says Meredith-Nolan. “Low-maintenance products like vinyl or fiber cement siding and polyurethane trim pieces look great and have salability that can be passed on to buyers who don’t want the hassles of long-term maintenance.”
Other improvements to consider for beauty and functionality include vinyl windows and an updated porch balustrade system, which can offer clean lines and make a property really seem to pop.
For a clean, clutter-free exterior, power wash the driveway and walkways, trim back overgrown shrubbery and put away the yard art. Add pops of color around the outside, like new shutters, a fresh coat of paint on the front door and flowers in pots and window boxes.
Consider a fiberglass door to improve the look and energy efficiency of your front entry. Brands like Therma-Tru offer woodgrain and paintable options, as well as attractive accessories like decorative glass doorlites and sidelites that can boost curb appeal and increase light in your foyer.
For a free guide to adding top-down color and products to the home, visit www.fypon.com/design/.
“If you want to get buyers to take your house seriously, spend time to get them through the front door,” says Tom Kabat, a real estate sales agent for 16 years with Welles Bowen Realtors. “It takes just seconds for a prospective buyer to either connect with or reject your home based on its curb appeal. Invest in your home exterior and you’ll never go wrong.”
