Increase your kerb appeal
Stewart Rennie - 20/09/2020
It takes potential buyers just 8 seconds to decide whether they like or dislike your property.
If
you are looking to sell your home or even have it valued this year first impressions count! Kerb appeal
can be worth almost 10% of your home’s value so it’s worth sprucing up the front of your home before
letting agents and buyers view it. It takes potential buyers just eight seconds to decide whether they
like or dislike your property.
Cleaning your windows and front door is a must along with any weeding and sweeping that needs to
be done at the front of your property to help contribute to a great first impression.
Often curtains can look good on the inside but the view from the outside can tell a different story with glimpses of stained or damp liners giving a terrible first impression. Net curtains or shabby curtains or blinds can appear dated and this first impression from the outside sets the tone for the rest of the visit. First impressions are very hard to override. If your windows look dated from the outside people will expect the rest of the house to be dated too and that is before they have even walked through the front door.
How do I improve my kerb appeal?
The best thing to do is go and stand on the opposite side on the street and take a look at what people will see as they approach your property.
A few tasteful plants or a window box or hanging basket can add to a feeling of a well maintained space and can be a good investment when coming to sell your home.
1. Weed and sweep your forecourt or drive
2. Add attractive plants or flowers to your entrance way
3. Clean windows and front doors inside and out
4. Freshly paint any sills, masonry and woodwork.
5. Take a good look at how window dressings appear from the outside are they clean, tidy and modern? If not, replace them
6. Look at your neighbours kerb appeal, if they have rubbish lying around ask them if you can move it for them, ten minutes helping them out can help give your potential buyers a great first impression
Will shutters add value to my home?
Whilst shutters are not a panacea to all kerb appeal issues, they do set the highest standard of style in terms of window dressing and so the value they offer in terms of kerb appeal depends on how visible your front room window is to the street or visitor to your home. It also ties to the age and style of the home. Shutters evoke a certain colonial style and therefore tend to fit beautifully with a Victorian or period home.
Not only do they offer privacy, light and style to your home both inside and out but you can also tell potential buyers that they come with the home as they are custom made for the windows which means that the buyers won’t need to buy any window dressings themselves.
Maximising the kerb appeal of your home is essential if you’re thinking of selling and is a sound investment. Indeed why not avoid the, ‘why didn’t we do this sooner?’ feeling by improving your kerb appeal now so you can enjoy it too?
