First impressions are everything and your home is no exception. When your home is listed for sale, you’ll want the initial look to create a positive impression that invites house hunters indoors to see what’s inside.
“You should be getting your home picture-ready as soon as you know for sure that you’ll be selling it. The more time you have, the better,” says Brett Furman, a real estate professional St. Davids, Pennsylvania
Furman stresses following these 12 tips to enhance your home’s curb appeal:
- Keep your lawn mowed and maintained.
- Spruce up your existing landscape. Trim shrubs and bushes and clean up any dead leaves.
- Add a splash of color by planting seasonally-appropriate flowers.
- Keep your garage door closed.
- Keep cars off the driveway
- Make sure kids’ bikes, skateboards and other toys are not blocking the front door.
- Paint your front door and replace hardware.
- Clean windows that can be seen from the front yard.
- Make sure pets are in a secure place.
- Place a nice, clean doormat at the front door.
- Sweep front porch and clean outdoor furniture.
- Keep sidewalks clear. If it’s winter, make sure ice and snow are removed.
“Potential buyers will look at your home via pictures on the Internet first and then in person. The first few photos are usually outdoor shots. This is why keeping your home well-maintained from the outside is most important,” says Furman.