Everyone is familiar with the concept of curb appeal. One doesn't need to look too hard, or too far, to find plenty of how-to curb appeal basics.
The fact is that improving curb appeal on your home isn't even generally expensive, time consuming or overly complicated. The concept is quite simple. Curb appeal refers to the level of attractiveness one feels for a property when viewing it - you guessed it - from the street. In its simplest form, curb appeal is about subjective appreciation.
But why does curb appeal really matter? As a home seller, why does everyone exclaim it is so important? Therein lies the key: The 'why' of curb appeal is much more important than the 'what' or the 'how.'
Here is the next, less common, step in the curb appeal conversation, and why it really does matter.
Set Buyer Expectations. Fist impressions and all of that, right? Indeed. It's your fist chance to "wow" a buyer. But it matters because the whole purpose is to extend that feeling and get potential buyers inside. Buyers are more inclined to look inside if they like what they see on the outside.
Display Pride Of Ownership. If your home looks amazing from the street, the message you're making to potential buyers is that you take care of your home and don't ignore upkeep or repairs. The quality they see on the exterior extends to the rest of the home. It's a simple but important connection - you're building trust.
The digital first impression. The buyer of your home is almost guaranteed to view it online before they see it in person. So, yes, your home has to stand out among all of the home photos online. If it fails that test, it may never matter as many buyers will never see the inside.
Create Emotional Connection. From the moment buyers first see your home online or pull up to the front, they are forming opinions. There is a psychological effect at play. Studies suggest buyers decide in a matter of seconds whether they are interested in a home. Don't let that clock run out before they even go inside.
Curb Appeal Is a Marketing Tool. Consider curb appeal like any other way to market your home.Why would you not take advantage? Home marketing is about reaching the greatest amount of qualified potential buyers.
Time and Money. The goal, almost always, is to sell your home as quickly as possible and for the highest possible returns. The only two aspects you can control are the price of your home and its condition. If priced correctly, well-executed curb appeal is only going to help your home sell faster. And it can increase a home's perceived value. Some studies suggest that professional landscaping can add anywhere from 5 to 10 percent in perceived home value.