Every home seller knows how important curb appeal is. From your lawn to your shutters, the exterior of your home is what potential buyers see first—and that first impression matters.
This is even more true today, with the coronavirus pandemic having spurred much higher rates of buyers, especially first-time buyers, completing every part of the homebuying process online. From home affordability calculators, to virtual walk-throughs, today’s buyers are totally comfortable using all the tech tools at their disposal to make the buying process faster and more convenient.
And just like in-person buyers who would drive or walk by your home would get a feel for your home based on the exterior, online buyers see that exterior shot first. If they don’t like it, they can quickly move on to the next home that popped up in their search results.
So how do you improve your curb appeal during these warm summer months? Here are a few tips.
Take care of your lawn first
Lawncare is one of the most affordable and effective ways to instantly boost your curb appeal.
By mowing and edging your yard, cleaning up any grass clippings, and keeping the grass watered, you’ll ensure your home looks well-maintained for any buyers who happen by (in person or online!).
In fact, lawncare service typically provides more than 350% ROI, according to data from HomeLight. And adding fresh mulch will give you a 126% ROI.
Add exterior lights for safety and atmosphere
Another quick way to add some curb appeal during the warmer months is to put in some exterior lighting—and it doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive.
Lining your walkways with small solar lights or lanterns, hanging some string lights in your backyard entertaining area, or putting in some ground lighting in your flowerbeds can all give your home a warmer, more inviting feel.
You can also consider putting in exterior floodlights to increase the feeling of safety and security, both of which may help spur buyers to make that offer.
Focus on your outdoor entertaining space
The coronavirus ushered in a new era of outdoor entertaining. According to insights from top agents, homeowners across the country are putting in backyard pools, adding firepits, and making other backyard improvements because that’s what buyers these days are looking for.
At-home recreation is proving to be something buyers will pay extra for, so you’ll want to ensure that you show off your backyard’s potential for entertaining. Investing in some seating or patio furniture, adding some ambient lighting, and sprucing up your backyard pool (if you have one) are all good ways to tip the scales in your favor.
These and a few other simple upgrades should do your home all the favors it needs if you’re looking to sell in 2021—after all, the real estate market is hot in nearly every part of the country, and many homes are selling within days or even hours of being listed.
By focusing on your curb appeal and ensuring that everything outside is neat and tidy when that photographer comes, you’ll be sure to go from listed to sold faster than you imagined.
