They say, “It’s what’s on the inside that matters.”
However, when selling your house, curb appeal plays a huge role in attracting buyers. Let’s take a look at a scenario to help you understand this:
Your and your neighbor’s house is on the market. Where you have received an offer or two, there has been a constant stream of potential buyers going in and out of your neighbor’s house. After one and a half months, your neighbor’s Orlando real estate is off the market. You are shocked because both houses are the same, down to the number of rooms and their layout. Then why his and not yours?
So, you stand on the street and look at both houses to spot any difference. That’s when you see it: The neighbor’s lawn is perfectly mowed, the driveway is clean of any stains, the garage door is freshly painted, the front door looks new, and there’s a welcome mat in front of it, and there are flower pots hang on the porch, and there are two cozy seats with a small round table in the garden. All of it paints a pretty picture.
Your house, on the other hand, has none of the sparkle. Period.
Now that you know where you went wrong, let’s take a look at some reasons curb appeal is essential:
It Makes a Good First Impression
We can safely conclude from the above scenario that the first impression is the last. A buyer will be immediately impressed by the house, even before he has entered it if the exterior looks picture-perfect. So, it’s worth putting in extra effort and spending a few hundred dollars on maintenance. This brings us to the second reason:
It Increases Your Property’s Value
Your home’s curb appeal tells buyers you have taken care of your property. They assume the interior will be even better if the exterior is this good. As a result, they become more open to negotiation because they don’t want to let go of such a good deal. This helps the buyer agree to your asking price without any haggling. Remember: The more you spend on your property, within in limit, of course, the higher the ROI.
It Makes Your House Stand Out on the Block
The first thing any buyer represented by an Orlando realtor does is get more information on the comps. These properties were recently sold in the neighborhood with the same features as yours. You can use comps to set the right asking price. Your house can appear different and attractive from your competition when you enhance its curb appeal.
One of the best things about upgrading your home’s curb appeal is that you can do it independently. Here are a couple of low-cost ideas:
- Rake, prune, mow, and weed
- Clean your house from the inside and outside
- Paint the front door
- Declutter and decorate
- Clean up the driveway
- Install light fixtures
So, there you have it – the whys of improving curb appeal and how to do it. If you are having trouble selling your house, visit the Megan Dowdy Realty website. Contact a qualified Windermere, Florida, realtor to help you through the process. We offer listings in various cities in Florida. For more information, call 407-509-9279.
