Try these tips for catching a buyer’s eye before you win their hearts
The exterior of your home is the first thing buyers see, whether they’re viewing it in person or scrolling through photos online. It’s not unheard of for buyers to see a home’s exterior and decide to cancel their showing if they don’t like what they see. At the very least, poor curb appeal can give a bad first impression that can lead buyers to view the inside of the home with an overly critical eye.
A well-maintained exterior lets buyers know that a home has been taken care of. It can even give the impression that the whole home is in good shape — even parts that have nothing to do with the facade. Many buyers are looking for a move-in ready home, so if the home you’re selling doesn’t require immediate landscaping work, you may be in a stronger negotiating position.
How do you get your home’s exterior listing-ready? Consider this DIY curb appeal list.
Set a plan of action for improved curb appeal
Before you start pruning, planting or painting, analyze what needs to be done so you can decide how much you want to spend. This crucial first step will help you determine where you should focus your attention.
Take a photo of the home’s exterior as if it were the photo on your online listing. Does anything stand out as a negative? Ask a friend to evaluate your home’s exterior and point out the biggest defects, whether it’s peeling paint, a cracked sidewalk or overgrown foliage. Also ask them what they think you could do to make the home stand out in a good way.
As you contemplate improvements, stay true to your home’s style and avoid being tempted by trends. For example, don’t put a traditional porch swing outside a Mid-Century Modern ranch home.
Determine budget for exterior improvements
Adding or improving curb appeal can be expensive, depending on the scope of the project and the size of your front yard. According to a Zillow and Thumbtack analysis, sellers who hire professionals to get their home ready for listing spend an average of $5,380, part of which includes lawn care and gardening.
Luckily, exterior home improvements usually offer a strong return on investment. But that depends a lot on the preferences of buyers in your market. At the very least, an investment in curb appeal will help you attract buyers and possibly sell sooner.
If you’re planning on doing the work yourself, you’ll still need to set aside money for materials — and plenty of free time to get the job done.
Address exterior eyesores
Ready to get started? The first thing to do, especially if you’re attempting DIY curb appeal on a budget, is to remove any eyesores that could distract potential buyers.
Remove clutter
- Move parked cars (especially important before a showing or open house).
- Hide trash cans.
- Put away bikes and outdoor toys.
- Throw away rusty patio furniture.
- Take down the above ground pool.
- Discard dirty or broken decor, like water features and wind chimes.
Cost: $0, unless you need to discard large items at the dump.
Tackle overgrowth
Prune shrubs and bushes, trim hedges, remove dead or overgrown tree limbs, and mow the lawn.
Cost: As a homeowner, you likely already have yard-care tools, so the only cost may be fuel for the lawn mower.
Pressure-wash
Pressure-wash exterior surfaces, including siding, walkways, sidewalks and driveways, to remove dirt and grime. Just don’t pressure-wash any caulking or roofing, as it can cause damage that leads to leaks.
Cost: A pressure-washer rental costs between $50 and $75 per day.
Handle miscellaneous repairs
Repair, paint, stain or replace any broken fencing or railings. Similarly, fill any sidewalk cracks, swap out broken pavers and replace cracked gutters or downspouts.
Cost: These repairs could cost as little as $15 or as much as $300, depending on what needs to be done. For example, a large bag of concrete mix is less than $10, but replacing new fence slats could be much more expensive.
Conceal the air conditioner
Use lattice or a low fence to cover up your air-conditioner unit, which can be an eyesore no matter its location.
Cost: Between $100 and $300 for fencing materials.
Front yard landscaping for curb appeal
Depending on your home’s placement on the lot, your front yard may make up the bulk of your curb appeal. Consider this to-do list specifically related to the front yard.
Spruce up the yard
Treat any bare spots in your grass with new grass seed. If you have areas of dead grass larger than 6 inches across, add new sod instead.
Cost: A bag of grass seed costs roughly $15. Sod costs between $0.45 and $0.65 per square foot.
Plant fragrant flowers
Flowers do more than just provide visual interest. Aromatic, sweet-scented flowers set the tone as soon as the buyer walks up and leave a lasting impression. Just don’t overwhelm people with fragrant flowers too close to the entryway.
Jasmine, roses, lavender and thyme are all good options. Pay attention to seasonality so you can get something that’s blooming during your listing time. If you’re selling in late winter, sarcococca is a great choice.
Cost: Budget $100 to $200, depending on how much space you’re trying to fill. If you’re planting trees, expect to spend at least $60 per tree.
Get rid of weeds
Spend a few hours pulling all visible weeds. Then, add a new layer of beauty bark for a fresh, well-maintained look.
Cost: Pulling weeds won’t cost anything but your time. For a small area, you can buy beauty bark by the bag, which costs between $3 and $4 for a 2-cubic-foot bag. For a larger project, you may want to purchase in bulk, which costs between $20 and $30 per cubic yard, plus a delivery charge if you need it delivered.
Highlight architectural features
Although landscaping is a big part of curb appeal, don’t overlook any impressive architectural features that your home offers — or that are relatively simple to highlight. Check out these easy DIY curb appeal projects.
Clean all windows
Clean your windows, both inside and out, with a window cleaning product or vinegar-water solution. Avoid cleaning windows when they’re in the direct sun, as they’ll dry too quickly and leave streaks.
Before showings and open houses (and before your real estate photos are taken), open all blinds and curtains. Natural light is important to buyers, so you’ll want them to notice the number and size of the windows, especially if windows are one of your home’s best features.
Cost: All you’ll need is a bottle of vinegar, which costs less than $2.
Add shutters
Shutters can draw attention to windows or make them look larger. If you decide to add shutters, paint them the same color as the trim or choose a contrasting but complementary tone.
Cost: A pair of raised-panel vinyl shutters costs roughly $50. You might also consider repurposing salvaged shutters, which can be much cheaper. Expect to spend $30-$40 on a gallon of exterior paint.
Add window boxes
Classic window boxes with bright seasonal flowers can add plenty of charm to the front of the home and draw attention to how many windows the home has.
Cost: Pre-made wood or plastic window boxes cost between $50 and $100 each, and if the hardware is sold separately, it will add about $10 to your cost.
Highlight the entry
Frame the front of your home by keeping things symmetrical. Place identical potted plants (or groupings of container gardens) on both sides of the staircase leading to the front porch or on either side of the front door.
If your home has a generously sized front porch, use decor and plants to show it off.
Cost: You can find nicely potted plants, like boxwoods in a planter, for less than $100, depending on height.
Edge the walkway
Give your walkway a polished look by lining it with brick pavers or adding solar-paneled lights — an easy DIY project, as there’s no electricity required! If you don’t have a pathway up to your front door, consider adding inexpensive stepping stones.
Cost: A six-pack of decorative solar lights costs only $20-$30. Pavers cost under $1 per linear foot, and stepping stones can cost anywhere from $2 each for basic concrete to $10 for flagstone.
Paint trim
Repainting trim, especially around peaks and windows, can give your home a fresh, clean look. Sand and repaint any area that has peeling or cracking paint.
Cost: Exterior semi-gloss paint is the best choice for outdoor trim, and it costs between $30 and $40 per gallon.
Apply curb appeal finishing touches
The exterior of your home needs decor to complete the look, just like the inside of your home. Here are a few more DIY curb appeal ideas.
Paint the front door
A popular way to improve curb appeal on the cheap is by painting or staining the front door in a contrasting but complementary color.
Cost: Paint for a project of this size should cost no more than $20.
Hang new house numbers
Choose bronze or brass for a traditional home (based on the home’s paint color) and brushed nickel for a more contemporary house.
Cost: House numbers cost between $2 and $6 per number, depending on the material and style.
Refresh the mailbox
Consider replacing your mailbox if it’s worn out. If it’s in good condition, just give it a good cleaning. You might also consider planting flowers around it.
Cost: You can pay as little as $25 if you only need a new mailbox without a post. If you need a new post (or want to buy a mailbox with a built-in post), expect to spend $50-$100.
Install new lighting
Adding sconces to either side of the doorway can frame the entry and give a complete, polished look. If you already have sconces, clean or repair them as necessary.
Cost: New outdoor sconces come in a variety of price points, from $30 a piece for basic styles to $150-plus for more intricate designs.
Replace the welcome mat
Swap your worn out welcome mat for something new, clean and simple — no cartoons or funny phrases.
Cost: A simple doormat should cost no more than $20.
Include seasonal decor
Seasonal touches like a holiday wreath or pumpkins, depending on the time of year, can add a warm and homey feel.
Cost: It’s easy to add seasonal touches, either real or artificial, for less than $50.
