Tag: curb appeal

Let’s Take it Outdoors: What is ‘Curb Appeal’ Anyway?

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Curb appeal is the feeling that people get when they drive past your house. Is the landscaping maintained or overgrown? Is the front door faded or vibrant? Is the driveway smooth or full of potholes? The exterior presentation of your property sets the tone for the buyer experience when you are selling your home.

It’s important to have “drive-by” curb appeal when your house is on the market, which is common knowledge. However, many sellers are surprised when we show them that the concept of curb appeal applies to the whole exterior presentation of the property.

Recently I met with a seller who wanted to get her house ready for sale. I drove by the property, and it looked neat, tidy, and well-maintained from the “curb” view. A closer look at the exterior, however, revealed many exterior flaws that would be fatal if I was a buyer.

Here are the three things that need repair prior to getting your house on the market:

1. Rot on garage door trim. This is very common. If the wood can’t be salvaged, then the trim needs to be replaced.

2. Sinking front steps and walkway. This, too, is very common. Over time, concrete front steps sink into the ground and the paved walkways can shift.

3. Garage door damage. It’s not surprising that some people have backed into their garage door when it’s still closed leaving a dent. Also, it’s common to have a broken window (hockey puck or baseball).

In these examples, the curb appeal of the house extends all the way to the front door for buyers. Driving up to the house and then walking to the front door sets the tone for the interior of the house. If the first impression is that the exterior of the house has been neglected, then the interior of the house will be scrutinized for any signs of deferred maintenance as well.

If you’ve been thinking about selling and want to get your house on the market, contact us to get started and we will ensure your exterior is in tip top shape to attract buyers from the first drive-by.

5 Ways to Stage a Home on the Cheap

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At The Weaver Team, we wholeheartedly believe in the power of staging. Staging will create a more buyer-friendly space that will help your home sell faster and for a higher price. Here are 5 staging tricks you can implement that cost little to no money:

Langlais SummerCurb appeal – The exterior appearance of your home should entice buyers to come in and see more, so keep it neat and tidy. Make sure to mow the lawn, trim the bushes, weed the flower beds, and add a new layer of mulch to really freshen up the landscape. Add some flowers or plants in colorful pots to the porch and dress up the front door with a seasonal wreath to add warmth and a ‘welcome’ vibe.

Declutter – If there is only one thing you do before putting your home on the market, get rid of the clutter! Buyers cannot see past your personal items. Use the 90 day rule – remove anything that you will not need for 90 days. This applies to every area of the home, even closets and cabinets. Think of it as preparing for your move, you won’t have to pack these items again when your house sells! If you do not have storage space in a basement and garage for the boxes, rent a small storage unit.

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P: Houzz

Stage rooms with a purpose – If you’ve been using your dining room as an office, it’s time to get rid of the desk and bring in your dining table. If you’ve got a spare bedroom that you’ve been using for storage, remove the boxes and bring in a bed and side table, or stage it as an office with a desk and chair. Make sure each room has a single purpose, if it’s not clear to the buyer they may be confused as to how they could use the space themselves.

It’s all in the details – Go beyond your every day cleaning routine and really make your home sparkle. Detail each room – dust every surface, wipe down all baseboards and trim, and shine any fixtures. Replace any broken or worn outlet covers and switch plates with contractor grade plates that are inexpensive, but will make a world of difference. Fix any dripping faucets, squeaky hinges, or loose fixtures.

bright-living-room-on-living-room-pertaining-to-bright-colored-design-ideas-9Light it up – Clean all of the windows to let the light shine in! If you have heavy drapery that blocks the light, opt for a lighter or sheer curtain to ensure light fills the room, or remove the drapery all together. Make sure all of the light fixtures have working bulbs, and all at a similar wattage so that they all glow evenly.

5 Ways to Boost Your Curb Appeal

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First impressions are everything – you don’t want a potential buyer to pull up to your house and decide to not even enter because they don’t like the look from the outside. It’s easy to enhance your front yard with a few weekend projects. Here are our top 5 ways to boost your curb appeal:

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P: The Decorologist

Paint your front door. Adding a splash of vibrant color to your front door will create a welcoming entry and draw potential buyers in, and will only cost about $30 for a gallon of exterior paint. Check out DIY Network’s 28 Inviting Colors to Paint a Front Door.

Replace your house numbers. Installing new numbers on your house is an easy fix to spruce up your curb appeal. There are tons of options out there – choose metal numbers that match the finish of your exterior lighting fixtures or get a customized plaque that matches the vibe and style of your house.

Update exterior light fixtures. Replacing outdated light fixtures will immediately modernize the look of your entry. Look for fixtures that have the same mounting system as the current ones that you have to save yourself some time.

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P: Lowes

Add potted plants to your front porch. Add a pop of color to your entry with colorful pots filled with flowers, succulents, or ornamental grasses.

Tend to your yard and garden beds. A well-manicured lawn and groomed garden beds tell potential buyers that a home has been well-maintained. Cut your grass regularly and edge your lawn for a professional look. Weed your planting beds and spread mulch to give your landscaping a fresh appearance.