Even though homes in Ottawa are selling like hotcakes, first impressions matter. Improving your home’s curb appeal will achieve that stop-and-stare look from buyers so you can get it off the market in no time.
TIPS FOR IMPROVING YOUR HOME’S CURB APPEAL
A home’s curb appeal is industry-speak for how a home looks from the street.
Home sellers often focus on staging the inside of their home and pay less attention to the exterior, but making a few changes to your property can make a dramatic difference.
Below we offer some basic ideas that will improve most properties’ curb appeal, but for specific advice on what makes sense for your home, give us a call. Our experienced real estate agents can guide you through the options and provide customized recommendations to improve your home’s curb appeal before you list it.
Tip #1: Outdoor Spring Cleaning
Spring is a time of transition. When the snow disappears, it can leave an untidy mess. Start by cleaning out any debris from your yard. Rake the grass, pull weeds, and mow the lawn.
Trimming hedges and bushes is a simple improvement that will go a long way to giving your property a clean and tidy look.
Clear your eavestroughs of leaves and debris and look for any sections that may need repair or replacement. You may want to consider renting a pressure washer to clean away any accumulated dirt on your exterior walls, walkways, driveway, patio, or deck.
Tip #2: A Splash of Colour
Spring is the perfect time of year to add a touch of colour to your home’s exterior. If your garden already has spring flowers popping up, you’re in luck. If not, adding some hanging baskets or a few strategically placed flowerpots can give your garden a vibrant burst of colour.
When it comes to curb appeal, a little colour goes a long way. And don’t forget about the power of a soothing smell when you’re trying to create a positive impression. Add some hyacinths to your garden, and you’ll get both colour and a lovely floral scent.
Tip #3: A Warm Welcome
The front entryway to your home is the focal point as potential buyers arrive, so you want it to be welcoming. If you’ve neglected your front entrance over the years, a few small changes can give it a whole new look and feel. None of these ideas cost a lot of money or require a significant amount of effort to implement.
A fresh coat of paint on the front door is a good place to start. A bold new colour can have a significant impact. You might also consider replacing the door’s hardware, installing new light fixtures, or adding stylish house numbers.
If you want to go the extra mile, you could add a welcome mat or a couple of large outdoor planter pots.
Outdoor furniture should be clean and in good shape. If you have space, place one or two chairs and a small table out front. Let buyers picture themselves sipping their morning coffee while they soak up the spring sunshine.
For more inspiration, check out the makeovers on HGTV’s Curb Appeal Show.
Tip #4: Ask Your Realtor About Your Home’s Curb Appeal
It can be challenging to view your own home objectively. You get used to things as they are and may not notice when your vinyl siding has faded, or the paint on the window trim is peeling.
Someone seeing your property for the first time will view it through a different lens and is likely to pick up on the things you no longer see. There’s also a tendency for people to focus on the things that matter most to them, but that may not be relevant to buyers.
Wondering how much money and effort is worth investing to maximize your home’s curb appeal? It depends on how quickly you want your house listed, current market conditions and other situational factors.
Our Ottawa real estate agents will not only look at your property with an objective eye but can tell you, from experience, what changes make sense to get you the best return on your investment.
Buy and sell with confidence. Choose the MacDonald Property Group.
At The MacDonald Property Group, we have a dedicated, national award-winning full-service team all under one roof, ready to provide the expertise you can trust. Our team and associates are recognized as the top 1% in North America since 2010.
With over twenty-five years of experience in all aspects of real estate, we have bought and sold well over a thousand homes. We’ve been honoured to help thousands of clients in Barrhaven and across the Ottawa area close a deal with confidence and satisfaction. Give us a shout, and let us show you what we can do for you!