Your home's interior is pristine, the boxes have been packed, and open houses are on the horizon.
You're ready to sell and want to get the most bang for your buck, which is why it's vital that you hook your buyers at first glance.
Check out these simple, inexpensive curb appeal boosters to revitalize your home's appearance and catch your buyer's eye.
1. Keep it clean
Don't just sweep away a few leaves and call it a day; there are lots of little nooks and crannies that might not catch your eye at first glance.
After mowing your yard, crank that garden hose nozzle up and spray away the dirt on your porch, driveway, and sidewalk. Fence? Spray that, too! And when it comes to your windows, we HIGHLY recommend cleaning both the inside AND outside to keep them sparkling.
For tougher spots, you can rent a power washer for a day - just avoid washing your roof! Intense spray can damage the shingles, and it can strip the caulking from windows, as well.
2. Update your shutters
Adding shutters to replace old, faded curtains can make your windows look larger - who doesn't want a home with plenty of natural light?
Choose a fun, bright color that pops against your exterior for bonus points. The contrast will catch eyes and give your home the personality that sets it apart from more "cookie cutter" houses.
3. Paint it up
With all the rain we've been getting in Orange County, there's a good chance your trim, door, shutters, and light fixtures have taken a bit of a beating. Touching up these areas with a good ol' can of paint (or even spray paint) can instantly brighten any home's exterior. Be sure to tape off the edges of your door to avoid painting over your moldings or any house numbers you might have on the door.
Throw in a seasonal wreath for the front door when you're done, and you've got a winner! Check out Pinterest for tons of free, crafty solutions to make your own wreath, or pick one up from any home decor store.
4. Stay in the neutral zone
As much as you might love your pink flamingos, wind chimes, lawn gnomes, and other quirky knick-knacks, your buyers might not - time to grab a few more of those boxes and store them safely away until your next home is ready for your personal touch.
You want your buyers to see themselves in your home, which is why keeping a clean slate is so important. Stick with simple, neutral furniture, a flower box or two, and a few colorful accent pieces (think pillows or a small tree in a planter).
5. It's all in the little things
When was the last time you looked at your mailbox? If it's anything like ours, it could use a face lift...or twelve. Upgrading your mailbox (or giving it a spray paint makeover) might seem like overkill, but it's the little things like this that will set your home apart from your competition.
Doormats are no exception, and they're no bank-breakers, either - you can find a cute, seasonal doormat at your local Target, Walmart, etc. for 10 bucks or less!
(Psst - remember that hose we used earlier? Tuck it away in a decorative pot or storage bench.)
For more decor ideas and design inspiration, we highly recommend watching a few HGTV episodes - they've got their finger on the pulse of what buyers want right now and have lots of examples for you to work with. Looking to get more crafty instead? Pinterest has you covered with tons of DIY decor projects.
Got a few suggestions for us to add to this list? We'd love to hear it! Leave a comment below or reach out to us directly.
Thanks for reading, and don't forget to show us your before and afters!