When a South Carolina homeowner puts a for-sale sign in the yard, it activates a chain of events. The sign is meant to attract attention and hopefully, compel potential home buyers to schedule visits to tour the home. This is where curb appeal comes in; it is a key element to successful real estate sales.
Many people who tour your home-for-sale will first see the home online. Beyond that, however, their initial reaction to the home will occur “at the curb,” meaning when they arrive to your home for their tour. They will see the exterior of the home first. If it is not attractive, they likely won’t bother going inside. This is why curb appeal is a key element to real estate success.
Make sure the exterior of your real estate property is in tip-top condition
The following list includes the top five issues to avoid when your goal is to boost curb appeal:
- Chipping or peeling paint
- Broken stairs or cracked sidewalks, driveway, etc.
- Overgrown lawn, weeds or flower beds
- Trash and debris
- Yard clutter, such as toys, on-going project equipment, etc.
Even one of these issues can cause your home to have a low curb appeal rating. More than one is undoubtedly going to chase buyers away. The best thing you can do is resolve these issues and boost curb appeal before placing a real estate for-sale sign in the yard.
Quick ways to boost curb appeal
Providing that there are no major structural issues or serious damage to your home, it is easy to boost curb appeal. All it takes is a little time and effort. Here are several tips to help you get started:
- Paint the front door if it’s outdated or worn looking.
- Mow lawn and make sure all gardens or flower beds are weeded.
- Repair potholes or cracks in concrete, as well as broken railings or wooden stairs, etc.
- Clear the entire property of garbage and debris.
- Add a few accents, such as porch furniture, vibrant pillows to add a pop of color or hanging plants.
Stand in the street and look at your home and yard. Try to view it as though seeing it for the first time. Rate its curb appeal on a scale of one to five, with one being a disaster and five being pristine. Would you want to go inside to see more of the house?
Seek professional help
Asking an experienced real estate agent to rate your home’s curb appeal helps ensure that you’re on the right track. There are also professionals whose services include staging homes for real estate showings. This is a great resource, especially if you’re not sure what to do to improve the interior or exterior look of your home.