Ideal for making a good first impression…
Whether you’re selling up and moving on, or simply want to make a startling first impression on guests, improving your home’s kerb appeal is a surefire way to suggest class and sophistication before visitors have even entered your home.
Though it’s what’s on the inside that counts most, the first place to come under scrutiny, and therefore, the area which contributes most to that all-important first impression, is the home’s exterior. Fortunately for prospective property sellers and houseproud homeowners equally, it’s an area which is fairly simple to spruce up. The impact, though, is huge. With that in mind, here are 6 tried and tested ways to improve your home’s kerb appeal, IDEAL for making a good first impression.
Aesthetic Adjustments
Faultless facades are just a few minor adjustments away. Indeed, giving your gaff’s exterior an update is a largely cosmetic procedure which can be as simple as deploying some elbow grease or as committal as bringing in the painters and decorators.
We’ll deal with the former first. Should you not have a driveway or front garden, you should focus on the doors and windows, making sure they’re sparkling clean. Giving your door a new coat of paint in a pastel shade will look just the right shade of modern, and a simple scrub, clean and polish of the door handle and knocker will further enhance the sense of effort made. Keep windows clean and streak free to complete that spotless impression.
Of course, if you’re blessed with a front garden and driveway, you’ve got more wiggle room to improve your home’s kerb appeal. Consider a more all-encompassing project, like doing up your driveway or adding decorative entrance brickwork, or go all out and give the whole facade a new lick of paint.
Do ensure that the paint you go for offers weather and mould protection. In terms of colours which are on-trend right now, Cream Tea is elegant if you’re seeking something lowkey, whilst Terracotta is currently the hot choice for those looking to make a statement.
Go Green
If you’re blessed with a front garden, then do make sure you’re showing it off to its full potential, thus enhancing your kerb appeal and distinguishing your property from other similar offerings in the neighbourhood.
It’s all about getting any green space looking pristine and cared for. An unloved, overgrown front garden speaks volumes about the state of the premises as a whole, don’t you think? So, firstly trim back shrubbery and weed diligently, mulch flower beds, prune, and make sure the whole area is ready for some finessing. Then, you can set about introducing hanging baskets, window boxes, and planting a new flower beds.
If you have a lawn, make sure you’re watering it deeply but infrequently to guarantee a verdant green, preferably early morning or late evening to reduce the opportunity for evaporation. Mow regularly but not so obsessively that your lawn looks like it’s balding. Once a year, make the effort to dethatch your lawn, using a specialist rake. Experts suggest early Spring as the best time to do so, aerating the grass and leaving it a clean run at growing healthily.
Go Greener
A more modern proposition this, but no less impactful when enhancing your home’s kerb appeal. By making it visually apparent from the exterior of your property that efforts have been made to ensure it is energy efficient, you’re likely to impress potential buyers from the off. This is because value is added to your asking price via ‘green’ endeavours about the home. Plant that seed before they even enter your home and they’ll be putty in your hands, we think.
Double or triple glazed windows can increase the value of your home by 10%. Moreover, the warmth that double glazing adds to your home means your heating bills will be dramatically reduced – you can save around £110 a year – another bonus for potential buyers who are analysing the value of your property via its energy efficiency. Though it’s not necessarily ‘kerb appeal’ per se, seeing sturdy windows when appraising the outside of your home is sure to impress visitors.
Solar panel installation, although not done for the aesthetic reasons, can also make an impact on potential buyers before they’ve stepped foot in your home. Seeing panels speaks volumes about your commitment to energy efficiency; consider installing some (a single panel costs around £350) as their presence is an impressive statement of modernity and progressive ideas. Even investing in some solar panelled driveway lights will make a similar suggestion.
Lighting The Way
Speaking of lights, a well-lit home exterior not only ensures safety after dark but also adds a warm and welcoming glow that can significantly enhance your home’s kerb appeal. Strategic lighting can accentuate the architectural features of your home, illuminate pathways, and create an inviting ambiance that appeals to both guests and potential buyers.
Start by ensuring that your entryway is brightly lit with a fixture that complements the style of your home. Consider replacing outdated fixtures with modern ones that provide both function and fashion. LED bulbs are an excellent choice for their longevity and energy efficiency.
Next, add landscape lighting to highlight the beautiful aspects of your front garden. Spotlights can be used to showcase trees or interesting architectural details, while softer path lights can guide visitors to your front door. For a touch of elegance, consider installing lanterns or solar lights along the driveway or walkway.
Don’t forget about the practical aspects of lighting as well. Motion sensor lights can be a security feature, deterring unwanted visitors and providing convenience when you come home after dark. These lights only activate when needed, which also helps in conserving energy.
External Staging
We’ve all heard the estate agent trick of ‘staging’ the home for potential buyers, making things seem domestic and appealing by baking bread, brewing coffee or having gentle music playing when doing a viewing.
Why not think outside the box (and the home) and do some staging outside too, thus giving your kerb appeal a boost? A family car parked in the drive, if you’re showing round a family, could be suggestive of this being a property perfectly suited to raising a brood. Or, how about a bicycle chained to the railings (tidily, of course) to imply the area is ideal for active people.
You could even position a freshly delivered veg box or bottles of milk by the door – “oh, great timing on my delivery today!”, which hints at an old school community spirit. Manipulative, maybe, but a touch of genius too, don’t you think?
You should also think about the actual signage you’ve got up, if you’re looking to sell your home swiftly. As Correx sign printing point out, when selling your home the ‘For Sale’ sign is often the first point of contact with potential buyers, so it’s crucial that it reflects the care you’ve put into your property. Ensure that your sign is clean, sturdy, and legible, with professional lettering and no visible damage. A well-maintained sign not only increases readability but also conveys a sense of professionalism and pride in the sale of your home, subtly reinforcing the kerb appeal you’ve worked so hard to establish.
Damage Limitation
All of this finessing and fine-tuning will be irrelevant impact wise if your driveway, front garden, and porch come across as unkempt. So, prior to any guests or potential buyers visiting, do make sure that you’ve carried out an exercise in damage limitation, first and foremost.
Tidy away any debris which may have accumulated, empty that bottle bank of last night’s beers, take out the rubbish and generally clean house. Hose down your home’s exterior if it’s looking weather beaten. If anything in your garden has got unruly, mitigate it with a quick clip and prune. And fix any squeaking gates and doors as a matter of urgency. Visitors will be looking out most keenly for lurking issues rather than aesthetic flourishes; as such, keeping things tidy should be a priority.
