Getting your Home’s Exterior Ready to Show

Drive-Up Appeal:  Getting your home’s exterior ready to show, part 2

In part 1 of Drive-Up Appeal: getting your home’s exterior ready to show, you learned how to properly landscape your yard, creating a welcoming first impression to potential buyers. However, there are two more crucial areas of your home’s exterior that must be looked at, prior to showing your home. Just as you viewed your yard, go across the street and look at your house’s exterior, front door and porch with a critical eye.

Your house exterior is important when you want to sell your home!

• • Paint
    Does it appear weathered or faded?  If so, it’s probably time to treat it to a fresh coat of paint. Paint is usually a sound investment as new paint can do wonders to increase a home’s perceived value. Stay away from unusual or loud colours. The new colour should fit in with surrounding houses, and complement the style and structure of your house, not fight with it.
  • Your Roof
    Examine the roof closely. Old or leaking roofs should be replaced. If there are leaks, you’ll have to disclose this detail to the potential buyer of your home anyway, and they will want it replaced or see it reduced from the purchase price of the home. If there isn’t any apparent damage, however, wait for word from the home inspector before making repairs.
  • The Front Door and Porch
    The front door and surrounding area should look particularly fresh and welcoming, as this will be the buyer’s first up-close impression as they enter the house. Keep the porch swept and buy a new plush door mat that is inviting
  • Front Door
    If you paint nothing else, at least give the door a new coat. Replace the doorbell if it is broken and polish the door fixture until it gleams.Wash the mail box, or replace altogether if it is faded or rusted. Ensure the lock works smoothly and the key fits properly. When a home buyer visits your house, the realtor will open the front door with a key.  You don’t want the buyers’ first experience to be of waiting on the doorstep while the realtor struggles with the lock.

Through enhancing and investing in your landscape, exterior, and front door and porch, you are contributing to the overall effect of a well cared-for and welcoming home. By doing these little enhancements, you help create a warm and positive first impression for home buyers, and encourage an optimal sale.