We have all heard the saying “you never get a second chance to make a first impression,” but we forget that it can apply too much more than just our appearance. 

When getting ready to sell a home, many times, people can forget the impact that the outside of your home can have. It is the first impression of your home when a potential buyer pulls up, and it can set the tone for the showing. So how can do you make your home have that curb appeal that helps your home stand out among the rest? Here are 5 ways to help boost the curb appeal of your home! 

1. Keep up with your lawn. Yes, you are planning on moving, and it’s just one more thing to add to the ever growing list of things to do, but you would be surprised what keeping the lawn mowed and the shrubs trimmed can do for a home. We know, it isn’t the easiest thing to do with all the packing and every day things you have going on, but when selling your house, staying on top of general lawn maintenance should increase, not the other way around. A beautifully maintained lawn and shrubs show the potential homeowners the true beauty of your home! 
2. Pressure wash the house and walkways. Let’s be honest, we never really know how dirty something is until we really clean it. While your home may look like its just find and you can’t tell how much has built up around the house and walkways, a good pressure wash will make the home shine! Its like when you have dark flooring or even a dark car, you don’t realize how dirty it is until you clean it and then you see just how much build up there was! Take the time to give your home and walkways a good wash to really show its beauty! 
3. Make it colorful. A well manicured lawn is great, but let’s not forget what a little pop of color can do for you. Planting some flowers along the walkways and near entrances to the house add a little bit personality to the home and give it an extra something when you pull up and see a home full with beautiful blooming flowers! Just don’t forget to maintain them, otherwise it will look like the Adams Family planted them. 
4. Entryways can help someone feel at home. As a potential buyer is walking up to your front door what will they see? Does the door have chipping paint on it? Is the welcome mat old and worn out? What about your front porch or entry area, what does it look like to you when you first walk up. Does your outside light work? Does it need to be replaced? Pretend you are the potential buyer and step outside and take it all in. Sometimes a fresh coat of paint on the front door, a decorative door hanger and a new welcome mat can totally change the feel of your entryway. Making sure the walkway or stairs to your door are clear of clutter and any cracks are repaired gives it new life. Don’t rest on just the lawn, it’s also imp ortant that as they approach the front door, people feel welcomed and can envision their guests walking up. 
5. Hide things that don’t really need to be seen. So let’s walk outside that door again and look around your home. Do you see the sprinkler system piping? What about your AC unit, is it visible? We all know that there is usually a garden hose knotted up somewhere behind a bush, but is it visible as you walk up? Think about taking steps to cover up these things that may take away from your home. Maybe plant some bushes or flowers around that sprinkler system, and a decorative fence with some shrubs around the AC unit. Those little things can cover up big eyesores that can take away from the beauty of your home. As for that pesky garden hose, there are so many decorative containers that you can find know at stores that safely store the hose and add a little extra something to your yard without people knowing why it’s there. 

Take the time to make sure that the outside of your home is just as cared for and maintained as the inside of your home. While a homes interior is important, people get their very first impression of your home the moment they pull up to it. If they feel it’s too much of a project or cannot see past the clutter, sometimes that can break the sale. Be sure to step outside and just look around your house and see it from a buyers perspective! 

Need help finding the right people to boost your curb appeal? Contact us through EkkRealty.com or our Facebook Page and we would love to help recommend some local businesses we use!