Kerb appeal is the phrase used in the property sector to describe the attractiveness of a property and its surroundings from the street, when passing by, or when seeing an
exterior photo of the property online.
Kerb appeal is an important thing to consider when it comes to selling your homes as first impressions are vital in order to receive more leads and more offers.
There are many ways to improve the kerb appeal of your property, some can cost nothing, whilst many are free. We have put together a list of the most popular methods of improving you kerb appeal, something that we ask all of Clients to consider when it comes to selling their home.
1. Tidy up the lawn
A manicured lawn and neat shrubs are just another way you can instantly make your home welcoming to visitors. Remove any weeds and mow your lawn and if the grass is looking a little yellowed, use some lawn feeder to revive it and make it appear healthy.
2. Spruce up your fence
We’re all guilty of putting off DIY projects but those projects, like painting your fence, can have a big impact on your kerb appeal. A neglected and tired fence is just another job that prospective buyers will have to undertake if they bought your house. While you obviously don’t want to correct every single problem, tackling the ones that are easy to solve can immediately make your house appealing.
3. Refresh your door colour
Your front door is one of the main features of your home that buyers will see first. So, it needs to give a good first impression and get viewers excited to see the rest of your home.
If you have a wooden front door, a lick of weatherproof paint will help it appear welcoming. If you want to add a splash of colour, choose a traditional navy, green or red to make it stand out without being too garish.
For plastic or uPVC doors there are special products available which can clean and brighten your door.
4. Clean the path and driveway
If you have a pressure washer then that’s a great way of quickly blasting any dirt from your path or driveway, making them both sparkle and the approach to your house look impressive.
5. Create feature lighting
Adding lighting either side of your front door will help if you have viewings in wintery months, but will also simply add to your kerb appeal and highlight the entrance to your home.
6. Gutters and roofing
Remember that prospective buyers want to ensure that there aren’t any maintenance issues that they’ll later have to deal with. Making sure the roof is in good condition and that the gutters are clean can help to reassure them right from the start.
7. Spruce up the windows and frames
If you don’t have time to do anything else, at the very least give your windows a clean. If you can, sprucing up your window frames can go a long way too. Either way, you want to make sure that those windows gleam and let in as much light as possible.
8. Brighten things up
Bright colours can really help to make people feel welcome. So, if you feel like something is missing and you want to go that extra mile, why not add some hanging baskets with flowers to the front of the house or plant some extra plants in your front garden.
9. Hide the bins
Many of us keep our wheelie bins near the front of the house for easy access when emptying. However, if you can put them out of sight, either round the back or in the garage, this will help your increase your kerb appeal.
10. Look to your gate
If you have a metal garden gate then you may have not painted it for some time. If your gate is looking rusted or in need of some TLC, we’d recommend giving it a lick of Direct to Metal Paint to spruce things up.
11. Freshen up exterior walls
Exterior walls are often neglected in comparison to interior walls, however, they suffer just as much from peeling over time and weather damage, and may need to be painted. If you have bare brick or stone walls, a jet wash should work well. Also, don’t forget about any repairs that may be needed.
12. Review your window display
Now that your windows and frames are clean, it’s time to think about the display in them and what can be seen from the outside depending on the size of your windows. Brighten things up with flowers in the window, or perhaps some decorative items like vases and candles to help give a more homely feel.
13. Doorstep decor
Whether it’s a new welcome mat, some potted plants on either side of your front door, or a decorative door knocker, why not try adding a little decor to your doorstep for those final touches?
14. Sort out doorbell
Is it working? Is it worth replacing? Make sure your doorbell doesn’t sound the wrong note.
With plenty of reasonably priced, wire-free options available, a good doorbell will make a nice addition to your front door.
Some bells even come with video cameras or an intercom for added security. A good one will add to the impression that your home is loved and the area is sociable.
15. Think about exterior lighting
A well-lit entrance feels safe and welcoming. Consider adding a set of matching wall lights either side of your front door to enhance your home's kerb appeal.
This is especially important if you're putting your home on the market in winter or will have viewings after work when it’s getting dark.
Solar powered LED lights can be dotted around the garden. They don't even need to be wired up to the electrics, so you won't need to call in an electrician to do it.
Motion sensitive lights that turn on when visitors approach can also help to make a good first impression.