Curb Appeal for Your Frederick Md Home

Thursday, December 9, 2010

If you're selling your Frederick home, you're probably trying to keep the rooms and floors neat and clean for buyers.  Have you considered the outside of your home, it's Curb Appeal?    It can be helpful to have another opinion when trying to decide what projects to take on and how much work is needed when the subject of curb appeal comes up.

The psychology behind great curb appeal is really pretty simple
.
a)  As a seller, you want your home to be attractive, appealing, and welcoming.
b)  The negatives you want to minimize are also simple:  You don’t want the buyer to say to themselves, “there’s one more thing I’m going to have to do if I buy this home.” That’s a comment a seller never wants to generate from the buyer.  They should rather hear, “I love this home, I could just move right in!”


None of these projects have to be expensive or exhausting.  They just take a little elbow grease.
 
So how do you get that kind of comment?

1. De-clutter and Clean Up.  Most of the physical labor is usually in this category.

• Trim back trees, bushes, sidewalk edges and thin out overgrown beds.  You don’t want the buyer to say, wow, I’m going to have to trim all this back when I move in.
• Rent, borrow or buy a power washer and clean up sidewalks, porches, decks and siding.  You’ll be amazed at what a difference a clean surface makes.
• Make sure the grass stays mowed while the house is on the market.  Do a thorough weeding periodically.

2.  A fresh coat of paint or stain.  Any wood should be freshly cleaned and stained, or painted.  Again, the buyer will notice and be happy that they won’t have to add it to their list of things to do after moving in. Often, as this list grows, so does the $ amount a buyer subtracts from their offer!

• The front door and trim is a first impression. Repair any wood rot and give it a fresh coat of paint.  You want it to say, “the owners love this house and take good care of it.”
• Make sure shutters have been repaired if needed and have a fresh coat of paint.  Tired-looking shutters will detract from all your other efforts.
• The door handle and lighting should be newer and in keeping with the style of the house.  Be sure to light up the entryway for those night-time showings.

3.  Create a focal point at the front door.  If you have room for seating, add a cozy chair or a bench.  Add a wreath of flowers on the door.  The idea is to create a sense of welcome.
4.  Add color with flowers. If you don’t have space to plant some annuals, then put out pots of colorful flowers around the entryway.  Flowers are a delight to the eyes and senses and say a big “Hello”.
5.  Repair any problems with driveways, sidewalks or brick or stone edging.  Patch and seal for a finished look.
 A little work in the right places will make a huge difference.  And make sure you don’t overdo the colors or the flowers, you don’t want to overwhelm your visitors, you just want to make them feel welcome.  Welcome enough to want to stay!

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The Highland Group – Frederick Real Estate
Chris & Karen Highland *    301-831-9947
Turning Point Real Estate 
email us: isell4u2@msn.com
Text Us: 301-401-5119