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What is Curb Appeal?
Nearly every real estate agent suggests improving the curb appeal of your home before you put it on the market to sell. But if you’re a first-time homeowner, you may not know where to start. This is your guide on what curb appeal is, why it is important, and ways you can improve yours.
Defining Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is the way your home looks from a street view. You can maximize it through the exterior design of your home, along with other fixtures and landscaping.
What is appealing for your home depends on the region you live in. In the midwest, for example, fences and brick homes are popular, compared to the stone and wood homes of the pacific northwest.
It also depends on the season. In the spring and summer, you can put out lawn decorations. In the fall and winter, it’s important to keep your lawn and driveway raked and shoveled.
What Makes Curb Appeal Important
First impressions matter and the exterior of your home is the first thing people will see when they arrive. Curb appeal is especially important when you are selling your house. The condition of the outside of a house is usually a good indicator of how nice the inside is. Some potential buyers will rule out a home based on its curb appeal before they even take a look inside.
Here are a few statistics:
Curb Appeal Statistics:
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It can raise the value of your property by as much as 7%.
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Your home’s premium can increase by up to 14% with good curb appeal.
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The exterior of your neighbor’s home can affect the premium of your home, sometimes accounting for 33%.
How to Improve Your Curb Appeal
Little improvements to your home’s exterior can go a long way. Here are some examples of how to add curb appeal to your home:
Do Some Landscaping
The landscaping of your home is one of the biggest contributors to a nice curb appeal. Landscaping is maintaining the elements of your yard, including grass, trees, shrubs, and flowers. You can improve these elements by mowing or planting grass, trimming trees, and pulling weeds.
Update Outdoor Light Fixtures
Lighting up your porch and driveway is another way to make your home look nicer. You can update your exterior lights by either buying new fixtures or spray painting your existing ones. Pathway and string lights also make a welcoming addition to your front yard.
Restore Your Mailbox
If your mailbox is at the end of your driveway, it is one of the first aspects of your home that people will notice. If it is unappealing, it might give off the wrong impression. To update it, start with a good cleaning, then pick a new paint color to make it pop. You can also purchase a new custom-designed mailbox for a bigger wow factor.
Create a Welcoming Entryway
Windows and doors play an important role in making your home look inviting. Simple updates like repainting your front door a bold color, cleaning your gutters, or adding new house numbers can really make your front porch welcoming. Also, consider changing out your doormat to compliment the seasons.
Window and Door Replacement
If a fresh coat of paint or new door hardware isn’t enough, you may need to replace your windows and doors altogether. Window World of Tucson has a wide selection of products and styles that will boost the curb appeal of your home in no time. We offer both virtual and in-person consultations to get you started.