As they say, a first impression lasts. If your home doesn’t look good from the outside, buyers will think it doesn’t look good from the inside either, so they’ll just walk away or not click through your online listing to see photos of the interior.

Also, if your home looks beautiful, loved, and cared for on the outside, it says a lot about how the buyer perceives the interior. He also tells the buyer, “I’m the type of owner who takes care of EVERYTHING: the roof, the furnace, the repairs, etc.”

Lastly, with outdoor space, even if it’s just a deck at a condo or high-rise in the city, buyers are buying EXTRA SQUARE GOALS, so outdoor space should be given the same care and even maintenance. in a scene that takes place inside the house. .

The first thing to do is clean up the mess“.

Next, clean.

Then make necessary repair.

Then do an easy yet impactful “wow” factor. transformations.

Here’s a checklist to get your home’s outdoor space ready for the show:

Step 1: Clean up the “Clutter”

• Keep grass mowed and edges trimmed regularly (weekly)
• Remove and replace any dead or dying shrubs
• Consider removing or pruning any excess trees or large shrubs, especially those that block windows.
• Hedges and plum plants
• Remove plant debris
• Rakes grass and sidewalks
• Patio and Weed Garden
• Snow shovel and thawing aisles
• Remove and put away garden equipment, children’s toys, pool rafts, empty crock pots, and any other foreign items.
• Hide trash cans out of sight
• Keep the driveway clear of extra cars (park at the end of the street) during visits
• Remove excess clutter and tidy up the shed and garage.
• Wrap up your hose or hide it completely in a hose storage pot or wheel
• Remove excess furniture from front porches, decks, and patios to create space
• Remove or move umbrellas if they block any type of view.
• If it is safe, remove the portable children’s fence around the pool.
• Remove “Beware of Dog” signs
• Stack firewood neatly

Step 2: Cleaning

• Remove mold and cobwebs from eaves and light fixtures.
• Pressure wash any mold (or at least hose it down) from the house, roof, patio/deck, outdoor shower, concrete, furniture, awnings, umbrellas, walkway, picnic area, etc. the front door and driveway
• Clean windows, front door glass, and sliding glass doors inside and out
• Clean light fixtures
• Clean the exterior and interior of the barbecue.
• Sweep and wash the garage floor
• sweep the floor of the shed
• What you can’t put away when you’re tidying up, at least clean it up and put it aside.
• clean gutters
• Even if it is not visible, clean the chimney (safety reasons)
• Clean up grease spills on the driveway and garage floor
• Clean pool, hot tub, ponds, and other water sources
• Clean or hose down your mailbox on the sidewalk 

Step 3: Repairs

• fertilize grass
• water grass more
• Add grass or grass to empty spaces
• paint exteriors
• paint cutout
• Paint or stain the fence
• Paint or grease and seal the deck
• Repair or replace windows, screens, and blinds
• Repair or paint the front door
• Replace mailbox and house numbers
• Replace the welcome mat
• Polish door fittings, numbers, mailboxes, lighting fixtures.
• Remove unattractive storm doors, especially those that hide a beautiful front door.
• Remove unattractive awnings
• replace furniture
• Repair or replace torn awnings and umbrellas (or remove them entirely)
• Repair or replace worn or missing side or roof tiles
• Replace burnt out bulbs
• Align downspouts with gutters
• Repair of cracks in foundations, sidewalks, etc.
• Repair or replace broken deck planks/cleats
• repair broken fences
• Repair garage doors, shed, outdoor shower, pool house, pool equipment storage, etc.
• Repair of hose bibs, sprinkler systems, filters, and pool/hot tub pumps
• Repair or replace any other broken or worn items

Step 4: Make “Wow” Factor Transformations

• Paint the front door a color that contrasts with the house, such as red, maroon, black, etc. This is one place where it’s okay to use a bright color when selling your home.
• paint the garage door  
• Update your mailbox, house numbers, and entryway and front door light fixtures
• If you have a large area at the front door, consider adding a bench, chairs, a small table 
• add/replace doormat
• Update light fixtures in hallways, pool area, patios, and decks. 
• Consider adding walking lights (solar ones are cheap) 
• Update the planters to match the style of the house.
• Add huge colorful flower pots (in all seasons if possible) at least on the front steps, if not on the patio/deck as well. 
• Consider hanging planters around the front porch and deck/patio
• Plant flowers in front and back yards – flowers work wonders! 
• Add mulch to flower beds and shrubs for contrast and a neat appearance 
• Flowers and/or mulch can also be used to cover any bare areas in your pots or under trees for a clean, manicured look. 
• Consider adding blinds or window boxes to accentuate windows
• Add a fountain to the backyard
• Add a table and chair set to the backyard and decks
• Create an outdoor entertaining room by adding cushions to the chairs or setting the table with a stack of plates, wine glasses, and a bottle of wine
• Replace worn and outdated outdoor furniture, as well as furniture that doesn’t match the price of the home.

Do you know of anything else homeowners can do to improve their curb appeal?

© Copyright 2010 Designed to Appeal, LLC. All rights reserved.