In The Know

When a prospective buyer drives through your neighbourhood, the first thing they notice is the curb appeal of your property. 

Is the well-manicured front lawn, or is the driveway in great shape and not riddled with cracks that are filled with weeds? How is the shape of your roof? Is your front door appealing?

 If your exterior looks like the neighbourhood haunted house, your home might be considered a ‘fixer-upper’, giving you less value and demand for your home than you would expect. Improving your curb appeal can really increase the presentability of your home and increase the value. 

So, where should you spend your money when improving your curb appeal? 

One of the easiest ways to improve curb appeal is to simply have a clean and tidy front yard. This is not a huge investment, as you can do it yourself or employ the services of a landscape company. Take the time to edge gardens so they look beautiful and fresh. Trim your hedges, take-down any rotting tree branches. If it’s spring or fall, rake up any leaves and remove any debris. 

For large fixes, set a realistic budget and think about what you are trying to accomplish with it. Now is not the time to build your own personal front lawn paradise. When decorating for the holidays, try to add small touches like a couple of pumpkins or a Christmas wreath. 

Focus on giving your fence or trim a fresh paint job or putting in a new mailbox to replace that rusty mailbox you currently have. Even a few planters with healthy flowers can make a favourable impression. 

The end goal is to create an emotional connection when a prospective buyer glances at your home. So, before you put that “for sale” sign up on your home, give your front yard a polished look!