story by Mary Aho
They say to never judge a book by its cover, but when it comes to houses that is hard not to do. The very first thing you see is the exterior of a home, and if that isn’t welcoming, chances are you’ve already decided you won’t like what you see on the inside. That’s where curb appeal comes in handy. Curb appeal is defined as the attractiveness of a property for sale and its surroundings, when viewed from the street. With warmer weather just around the corner, it is the perfect time to get outside and spruce up your home’s exterior- whether you’re looking to sell or not.
One of the easiest ways to update the exterior of your home is painting your front door. Although a small change, a fresh coat of paint and a change of color can make a huge difference. If you have more wiggle room in your budget, painting the whole exterior of your house takes it to the next level. There are a few color trends for 2019 that are sure to wow everyone who passes your home. The first is a blue that is described as warmer than denim but lighter than navy. This color would be great for someone looking for change, but likes to keep things simple. The next color is a kelly green. This shade is a little more adventurous, but adds a huge pop of color that is going to catch everyone’s eye.
Landscaping is an amazing way to add curb appeal. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to have a wonderful yard. An easy way to update your yard is cleaning out and freshening up your flower beds. Dirty cluttered flower beds can make your house look neglected and unwelcoming. A quick way to take them from drab to fab is replacing the mulch or straw, and trimming bushes or pulling up dead flowers. If you don’t have flower beds, a wonderful addition to your exterior are window boxes. They add a warm and cozy feel that makes your home appear inviting.
You don’t have to have a lot of spare time on your hands, there are plenty of quick, fun updates that will really help with curb appeal. Replacing your mailbox, pressure washing, updating your house numbers, and changing outdoor light bulbs are all quick and inexpensive updates. You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to update the exterior of your home. Little changes here and there add up over time and really make a huge difference. It can be fun and so satisfying to do these things on your own in your spare time or on the weekends.
When a buyer goes looking for a home, they notice everything. You don’t want them to shy away from your house as a potential home because of its exterior. The possibilities are endless when it comes to adding to your curb appeal. Whether you are getting ready to put your house on the market or you’re just looking for a way to update your forever home, these suggestions will do the trick.
