Drive-Up Appeal: getting your home’s exterior ready to show, part 1
The importance of drive up appeal when selling your home
When preparing your home to show, work your way from the outside in. It is essential that your home possess a certain “drive-up appeal.” Remember, a potential buyer’s first impression of your house is formed while s/he is still sitting in their realtor’s car. First, you need to view your home from the buyer’s perspective. Go stand on the opposite curb and critically observe your property. Compare it to surrounding properties. This part of the blog will focus solely on your current landscape.
When compared to the rest of your neighbourhood, how does your landscaping “measure-up?” If you realize it would rate below-average, make a few adjustments. The purpose of landscaping is to complement the home, not hide it.
- Greenery
If there’s too little greenery, consider buying some bushes and planting them around the property. Do not buy trees! Mature trees are expensive, so you will not see a return on your investment and immature trees do not typically improve the immediate appearance of your home. If the problem with your yard is too much greenery, get out the pruning shears. Overgrown shrubs should be sheared to a height near the bottom of the windows. Remove any ivy clinging to the side of the house. Tree limbs should be high enough that you’re able to walk beneath. Trim any branches that bar the way.
- Lawn
Your lawn should be freshly cut, watered, and an even colour. If there are brown spots, make sure this is remedied well in advance of putting the house on the market. Re-sod areas while giving these spots enough time to grow, so they will match the existing lawn.If you decide to use fertilizer, you’ll want to allow enough time for it to take effect. Rake up any leaves or grass cuttings.
- Plants & Flowers
Planting a few flowers is an easy way to add colour and vibrancy to your yard, enhancing the first impression of your home. Invest in a full flat of mature, colourful flowers, such as petunias or periwinkles, which last the length of the growing season. Do not buy bulbs or seeds—they won’t necessarily grow enough by the time you begin showing to achieve the desired effect. If you don’t have an area in which to plant flowers, consider purchasing a few flower pots for your porch and planting flowers or blooming plants.
- Pool
Calgary does not have many homes with pools. In fact, it almost seems a negative feature in a home. Our season is short and the cost of maintaining a pool is high. However, if you have a pool, keep it sparkling and leaf-free.
Ensuring your yard is landscaped to its full potential will help create an excellent, welcoming first impression to potential buyers. In part two of this blog, you will learn how to enhance your house exterior and front door & porch.
Is your home ready to sell?
For more information about how to “drive-up appeal” of your home, be sure to read part two, or contact the V-Team at info@thevteam.ca.