Summer is a prime time for real estate, especially for buyers looking at homes for sale in Connecticut. The beautiful weather and pristine New England charm draw thousands of potential homeowners to the Constitution State every year, and you’ll want to make sure that your house can do the same. A marketable home should have enough curb appeal to draw even the casual passer-by in for a look. Here are four easy ways to up your home’s curb appeal with a minimum of effort:
1) Plant a Garden. Everyone loves flowers, and a colorful garden has been proven to increase the perceived value of a home. You don’t need a green thumb, either. All you need to do is cover the area where you want your garden to be with garbage bags for a week to kill the grass and soften the soil, then just transplant some already-blooming flowers from your local greenhouse or home and garden retailer. A few flowers and plants near your front walk will go a long way towards attracting potential buyers.
2) Power Wash, Power Wash, Power Wash. Anyone looking to sell their home should invest in a high-power washer. Whether you have aluminum siding or a brick veneer, there’s no better way to clean the exterior of your home. Before the showing, you should power wash the front of the home and the sidewalk too. Cleaning the weather stains off of your siding and exposed grout can make your home seem 10 years younger.
3) Repaint Old Surfaces. Any worn or weathered paint will raise eyebrows with fussy buyers. Your fence, mailbox post and even the front door should all be repainted if they show faded spots. All-weather paint isn’t expensive, and this is essentially a DIY weekend project. It’ll be even easier if you use your power washer to strip off the old paint first.
4) Decorate Your Lawn. Lawn ornaments walk a fine line between tasteful and tacky, but a well-placed decoration will accentuate the rustic charm of your Connecticut real estate. Try picking up an old wagon wheel or a wrought iron urn from an antique shop or flea market. If used sparingly, they can be a great way to add character and value to your home.
Remember that selling your home is just like selling any other product, and your front yard is what creates the first impression. A home with good curb appeal generates interest and will sell for more. Before showing your house, you should make sure that everything a potential buyer sees before entering your house is as clean, orderly and as appealing as possible.
