We all know how important first impressions are. When trying to sell a home for your client, the home’s first impression starts before they even enter the house. When talking about curb appeal we are referring to the look of the house when you first pull up to the side of the road. Here’s a list of several things you can do to help improve a home’s curb appeal.

• Use proper symmetry. Its not very difficult at all and adds a world of difference to the look and feel, almost subconsciously. Make sure light fixtures are properly aligned, plants evenly spaced, door mat centered with the front door. These are just a few of things that can be overlooked and fixed relatively simply.
• Doctor up the front door – New paint or new handles can go a long way. Most front doors are saturated with dirt and a good cleaning will help improve the look from the outside. If you would like to really make that impression, buy and install a unique custom wood door.
• Create a walkway. If potential home owners have to walk through grass, dirt or rocks to get to their home it could be a potential turn off. Take the time and invest into a walkway that leads to the edge of the street or where your car is parked. You can do a simple concrete layout or go all out with a nice stone walkway.
• Install outdoor lighting along your sidewalk or common areas. They make it very easy to do now with solar panel lighting even if you have the proper wiring. This helps illuminate the sidewalk and common areas and also adds a little bit of prestige to the place.
• Replace or replenish the houses exterior hardware such as mailboxes, street numbers, light fixtures. Polish any chrome or metal aspects of the house’s exterior. Older homes usually go with bronze decor while more modern and contemporary homes tend to use more silver decor.
• Touchup the paint on the siding and trim. If a house looks like it hasn’t been taken care of properly, what message is that sending to the potential home buyer? For a small investment in paint, you can touch up different areas where the paint might have become cracked or warn due to the weather or time. You can mix and match paint with the siding and trims to add a little more decor to the place
• Replace your old doormat. This is easy enough in itself. When you step on a nice, clean, brand new doormat it gives the perception that you are about to walk into a well taken care of home.