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Goodbye April, Hello May! I think we’ve all had the experience of driving or walking down a street and seeing our “Dream Home”, you know, one of those homes that make you slow down, maybe even stop for a moment, to take in how pristine the lawn is, how the flowers are always blooming, and how the paint provides a beautiful contrast between the shutters and trim. The house looks warm, inviting, and makes you think “I wish I could have that”. Well that, my friends, is called curb appeal.
So what exactly is curb appeal and why is it important? “Curb Appeal” is defined as the aesthetic look of a home’s exterior, and often it’s an indicator of what someone can expect to find on the other side of the front door. At the very least, what the home looks from the outside will determine whether or not buyers even want to take a look inside! After all, you would want to look at the interior of a home that doesn’t appeal to you from the outside, right? So overall, consider curb appeal as the first impression you get when you see a home for the first time!
Why is curb appeal important? It’s simple - you want your home, or the home you’re considering purchasing, to have that “WOW” Factor. If you think about it, it is actually an ingenious marketing tool designed to sell the property from the outside - it hooks you and pulls you in! Curb appeal sets expectations. I can say from experience that first impressions make a huge difference when it comes to buying and selling a home. If you want to maximize your property’s value, it is wise to focus on improving its curb appeal, especially now as the weather is warming up and people are getting outside. The market is still HOT and people are constantly on the look for their next big purchase.
From a seller’s perspective, improving a home’s curb appeal will add value to your property and help it sell faster. On average, homes with well-kept lawns and professional landscaping sell for 7% more than similar homes with exterior blemishes or unattractive front yards! Also, according to a recent article by Homelight, “in a recent poll of top HomeLight agents from all over the country, 76% said that improving curb appeal was the best thing homeowners could do to boost a home’s marketability, and another 95% of agents confirmed that putting effort into cleaning and polishing the exterior can bring more attention and a higher value to that home.”
Are you ready to enhance the curb appeal of your home? Evaluate and check off the following items from this list to get your home in its’ best exterior shape and please enjoy the images I’ve included of my recent listing at 92 South Street in Manasquan, NJ. This remarkable home is the epitome of curb appeal!
PAINT & POWERWASH Is your home exterior in need of a refresh? Is your current paint chipping and weathered? Take the time to select the best color for your property and apply a fresh coat! You’re also able to bring your shingles and siding back to life with a blast of a power washer to take away the grime from Winter.
SHUTTERS & WINDOWS Shutters and windows have a tendency to become weathered and in need of replacement. Replacing the old with new when it’s needed is important, but keep in mind that this is a bit of a financial investment!
LANDSCAPING The condition of your grass, landscaping, and any other foliage near the front of the property is typically the first thing that captures attention. Landscaping improvements can be as simple or as complex as you want to make them. Start with the grass and go from there!
LIGHTING It’s in your best interest to make sure the home is just as attractive at night as it is during the day. String low-voltage lighting along your driveway, sidewalks, and near important landscaping elements to bring it to life!
DRIVEWAY & WALKWAYS You don’t need to replace or reseal your driveway or walkways, but they shouldn’t be in poor condition either. Driveways full of weeds or cracks won’t present your property in the best light. Fixing this can be as easy as a bottle of weed spray and twenty minutes of your day. If you are on a budget, be sure to touch up only the parts that need the most work first.
Follow me on Instagram @jerseyshorerealestate to view some of my featured Before & After’s of local Spring Lake homes like this charming craftsman-style upgrade or this new remodel that have undergone miraculous transformations for enhanced curb appeal! With that, I also encourage you to take your own Before & After photos of your home, post and tag me! I would love to see your homes and possibly feature you on my feed or story!
If you are considering selling or just wondering about the value of your home, please contact me at 732.859.7808 or cnapp@dianeturton.com for a confidential, no-obligation consultation! Buying, selling, renting, or just curious, I am always available to discuss any and all of your real estate needs.
Visit my website to learn more from The Shore’s true local expert! If you liked this content, be sure to check out the rest of my blogs for more real estate information.