The street appearance of a home, or its “curb appeal,” is a popular topic of conversation among homeowners. If you’re selling a home, your real estate agent may have already recommended a few fixes and upgrades to boost your home’s curb appeal before you list it for sale this year. Really though, how significant is it? Does yard work like mowing, weeding, and planting really factor into how appealing the home looks? Absolutely! If the exterior of your home looks neglected, it could have a negative effect on the number of potential buyers, the amount of money they offer, and even the value they assign to the property.

Even though homes have been selling like hotcakes the past few years, right now we’re looking at a change in the real estate market. Consequently, it is important to make a good impression on buyers. It’s possible that many of you aren’t planning to put your house up for sale this year, but you’d still like to improve its curb appeal. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some great suggestions to improve your front yard curb appeal.

How Important is Curb Appeal?

When trying to sell your home, curb appeal ranks at the very top. Buyers will form an immediate opinion of the home based on their first impression of it. In fact, the National Association of Realtors conducted a study on the influence of outdoor renovations on property values that underscores this very statement. According to the survey, nearly all home improvement professionals think a home’s curb appeal plays a role in selling it. The price you get for your home and the number of interested buyers can both be negatively affected by a lack of curb appeal.

For those who plan to remain in their home, curb appeal still plays a factor. How your front yard looks will certainly impact your own enjoyment of your home. Having a beautifully designed and manicured lawn, uplighting, planters, and hardscaping can actually improve your life in many ways. First, improving your home’s curb appeal can make the experience of leaving and returning home more pleasurable. Second, the way we live and how we perceive the world around us has a big impact on our own personal health and well-being. A home’s design can actually increase serotonin levels.

Curb Appeal & Home Value

You might think it doesn’t make a difference, but how your home looks from the outside can affect how much you get for it when it comes time to sell. The value of your home will be lower if it has poor curb appeal. As soon as the appraiser arrives, they will examine your garden and landscaping. You can be sure that they have begun forming an opinion of your home before even setting foot inside.

Bad Curb Appeal Impacts a Home Sale Price

The lack of curb appeal can lower your home’s value by as much as 15 percent, and it will certainly have an impact on the appraisal. It’s more likely that a house will sell quickly if it has good curb appeal. Up to six weeks sooner is possible. Curb appeal is important, even if you only have a small budget for renovations and would rather put that money toward interior upgrades. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of activities that can be performed while spending minimal amounts of cash.

How To Improve The Curb Appeal of Your Front Yard

Take a good, hard look at your house from the street. Is there any evidence of wear and tear? Can you see the front door clearly, or do you have to look past the overgrown bushes and unkempt grass to get there? Could there be any unnecessary items cleared out? Tell me about your mailbox. Think about how a buyer will perceive your home upon first seeing it.

Use Plants & Hardscapes To Make Your Front Yard More Appealing

In some areas of Virginia, the sun can be particularly harsh on plants, leaving your yard looking a little droopy and exhausted. Petunias, Marigolds and, Zinnias are popular flowers in Virginia. They thrive in the sun and will bloom continuously throughout the year, adding a splash of color to your front yard. To ensure your plants survive the Virginia climate, it is important to first determine the hardiness zone of your location. Consider adding plants in garden beds and planters to achieve a more sophisticated and contemporary look for your front yard.

Add Curb Appeal By Making The Entrance To Your Home Inviting

Since most people enjoy time in the fresh air, it’s a good idea to design an inviting outdoor living space if one is available. For those selling a home, potential buyers will envision themselves relaxing in the morning sun on your front porch swing. You can make your front porch cozier by adding a bench or chair, no matter how small.

Make your entrance more welcoming by incorporating plants and outdoor lighting. Potential buyers may be enticed to take a look at your home if it is approached via a path made of pavers, concrete, or stepping stones. If you want people to notice your house, the door should be painted a bright color, have a wreath placed on it, or have flower pots placed on either side of it as a focal point.

5 Important Elements That Add Curb Appeal To Your Front Yard

It may be discouraging to think about all the work that needs to be done to your front yard to make your house more appealing to potential buyers, but putting in the time and energy now could save you a lot of frustration this summer. Here is a rundown of the main components of appealing curb appeal to help you get started:

1. Driveway: Use a pressure washer to remove any stains from your driveway. Repair the sidewalk in the same way.
2. Lighting: Potential buyers will observe the exterior lighting even during the day. Verify that the front door lamp is both spotless and operational. Pathway and garden solar lights are a great way to set the mood.
3. Landscaping & Hardscaping: Maintaining the landscaping requires regular mowing of the grass, weeding of flower beds, and trimming of trees and bushes. Brighten up the curb appeal of your home by planting a flower garden. A retaining wall almost makes a dramatic difference in your front yard landscaping.
4. Roofing & Siding: The condition of your roof and siding is crucial, so check on them regularly. Invest in their repair or replacement if either shows signs of wear and tear or damage.
5. Windows & Doors: Both the windows and the door leading into your home should be inviting. Give your front door a new coat of paint if you want it to be noticed. Don’t be afraid to make a statement by accessorizing with bright hues; a splash of turquoise, red, or sunny yellow could be just the thing to steal the show. Do not let tall plants or bushes block the view through the windows; instead, make sure they are spotless. If the window sills have chips or look worn, repaint them.

We hope that you find these suggestions useful in improving the curb appeal of your own home. All of these tips have been proven to significantly improve the property value of a home. If you’re looking for more great design trends, tips, and suggestions, feel free to reach out to us anytime.