Selling Your Home? Do These 6 Things to Add Maximum Kerb Appeal
Wow potential buyers by following this expert advice to make the front of your property as attractive as possible
When you’re trying to sell your home, first impressions count. If a potential buyer is underwhelmed before they even step over the threshold, you’ll already be on the back foot. Giving your home some kerb appeal doesn’t have to involve a large financial outlay – with a little effort, most homes can be made to look attractive to house hunters. Check out these expert tips to find out how to make an instant impact.
Professional advice from: Titilola Ajayi-Jones of The HomeWorks; Liz Jeffery of Saxon Shore Estate Agents; Jenna Buck of EastHaus
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Professional advice from: Titilola Ajayi-Jones of The HomeWorks; Liz Jeffery of Saxon Shore Estate Agents; Jenna Buck of EastHaus
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Tidy up
It’s important to keep the front of your home neat, say our experts. “A clear and tidy pathway to the front door will reinforce the sense that the house is cared for,” Titilola says.
“Start by removing any obvious eyesores, such as rubbish, weeds and dead plants,” Jenna Buck says. “Then hide any bins, bikes and kids’ toys out of sight. Keep your driveway or front path swept and free from leaves and rubbish.”
Liz also suggests putting your bins around the back if you can. She adds, “Clean your windows and doors inside and out. You’ll be amazed at what a difference having clean, shiny windows and doors can make to any property, instantly.”
For those who live in a block of flats, it can be trickier to have control over the tidiness of communal areas. “If your neighbours have bikes, buggies, shoes or other clutter outside your immediate entrance, it may be useful to explain to them that you’re looking to move and see whether they could be put elsewhere,” Jenna says.
It’s important to keep the front of your home neat, say our experts. “A clear and tidy pathway to the front door will reinforce the sense that the house is cared for,” Titilola says.
“Start by removing any obvious eyesores, such as rubbish, weeds and dead plants,” Jenna Buck says. “Then hide any bins, bikes and kids’ toys out of sight. Keep your driveway or front path swept and free from leaves and rubbish.”
Liz also suggests putting your bins around the back if you can. She adds, “Clean your windows and doors inside and out. You’ll be amazed at what a difference having clean, shiny windows and doors can make to any property, instantly.”
For those who live in a block of flats, it can be trickier to have control over the tidiness of communal areas. “If your neighbours have bikes, buggies, shoes or other clutter outside your immediate entrance, it may be useful to explain to them that you’re looking to move and see whether they could be put elsewhere,” Jenna says.
Wow with windows
Cleanliness isn’t the only thing you should think about when it comes to windows, say our experts. “If you have wooden window frames, make sure they’re in good repair,” Jenna says. “Get any chips filled and rotten sections treated, and repaint them if necessary.”
“Windows need to be well maintained,” Titilola adds, “so buyers won’t think they’ll have to spend thousands getting them double glazed or painted before they even move in.”
If your windows are in a very bad state, Jenna says, consider getting new ones fitted. “Also think about what people may or may not be able to see through your windows,” she adds. “Curtains or blinds should be pulled back and windowsills decluttered inside and out.”
“Where possible, keep the symmetry of the house with the use of window treatments,” Titilola says. “Blinds or curtains will add to the sense of proportion from the outside when they’re uniform from the front.”
Cleanliness isn’t the only thing you should think about when it comes to windows, say our experts. “If you have wooden window frames, make sure they’re in good repair,” Jenna says. “Get any chips filled and rotten sections treated, and repaint them if necessary.”
“Windows need to be well maintained,” Titilola adds, “so buyers won’t think they’ll have to spend thousands getting them double glazed or painted before they even move in.”
If your windows are in a very bad state, Jenna says, consider getting new ones fitted. “Also think about what people may or may not be able to see through your windows,” she adds. “Curtains or blinds should be pulled back and windowsills decluttered inside and out.”
“Where possible, keep the symmetry of the house with the use of window treatments,” Titilola says. “Blinds or curtains will add to the sense of proportion from the outside when they’re uniform from the front.”
Pep up the door
The colour of your front door, as well as the furniture on and around it, can have a huge impact on your home’s exterior. “A front door that’s well painted will invite people in,” Titilola says. “Dark blues, greens and greys are popular, but a white or natural wood door that has a brass knob and knocker can also look good.
“It’s definitely worth spending the money to redecorate a tired door and change the furniture where necessary,” she adds. “You could also do something different with the house number, such as buying an oversized brass one or a custom-made acrylic or slate design with the house name, number and street on it. This will make the house look and feel different from all the others.”
Need some extra styling to help sell your home? Search for home stagers in your neighbourhood.
The colour of your front door, as well as the furniture on and around it, can have a huge impact on your home’s exterior. “A front door that’s well painted will invite people in,” Titilola says. “Dark blues, greens and greys are popular, but a white or natural wood door that has a brass knob and knocker can also look good.
“It’s definitely worth spending the money to redecorate a tired door and change the furniture where necessary,” she adds. “You could also do something different with the house number, such as buying an oversized brass one or a custom-made acrylic or slate design with the house name, number and street on it. This will make the house look and feel different from all the others.”
Need some extra styling to help sell your home? Search for home stagers in your neighbourhood.
Go green
Not all properties have a front garden, but if your home has green space at the entrance, Liz says, “Make sure you’ve mown the lawn and done the weeding.”
For those without a front garden, she suggests, “Consider adding a few plant pots, hanging baskets or window boxes. A bit of greenery is never a bad thing.”
Titilola says plants placed either side of the door are a good way to add some symmetry to the front of your home. “They’re especially effective in increasing the kerb appeal if there’s very little other planting to the front of the house,” she says. “Buy unusual plants that will stand out or perhaps a coloured plant box.”
Clear away any untidy foliage. “If you have trees or hedges overhanging from a neighbouring property,” Jenna says, “you’re within your rights to trim back anything that falls within your property line. However, it would be courteous to let your neighbour know you’re doing it.”
Not all properties have a front garden, but if your home has green space at the entrance, Liz says, “Make sure you’ve mown the lawn and done the weeding.”
For those without a front garden, she suggests, “Consider adding a few plant pots, hanging baskets or window boxes. A bit of greenery is never a bad thing.”
Titilola says plants placed either side of the door are a good way to add some symmetry to the front of your home. “They’re especially effective in increasing the kerb appeal if there’s very little other planting to the front of the house,” she says. “Buy unusual plants that will stand out or perhaps a coloured plant box.”
Clear away any untidy foliage. “If you have trees or hedges overhanging from a neighbouring property,” Jenna says, “you’re within your rights to trim back anything that falls within your property line. However, it would be courteous to let your neighbour know you’re doing it.”
Carry out repairs
Pay attention to other elements at the front of the property, too. “Ensure guttering and drains are kept clear and unblocked, and the roof is free from moss and [debris] build-up,” Jenna says. “Repair any slipped tiles or slates.”
She also advises you check the condition of boundary walls and fences and refresh them where necessary with a coat of paint. Ensure your gate, if you have one, is fully functioning and can be opened and closed easily.
You might also like Everything You Need to Know About Updating Your Guttering.
Tell us…
Are you planning to put your home on the market? Did you find these tips useful? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Pay attention to other elements at the front of the property, too. “Ensure guttering and drains are kept clear and unblocked, and the roof is free from moss and [debris] build-up,” Jenna says. “Repair any slipped tiles or slates.”
She also advises you check the condition of boundary walls and fences and refresh them where necessary with a coat of paint. Ensure your gate, if you have one, is fully functioning and can be opened and closed easily.
You might also like Everything You Need to Know About Updating Your Guttering.
Tell us…
Are you planning to put your home on the market? Did you find these tips useful? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
“Working on the kerb appeal of your house will help homebuyers imagine themselves living there,” Titilola Ajayi-Jones says.
She recommends you stand on the kerb and assess how the house looks to work out what actions to take. “Be honest,” she says. “If it seems as if the house is unloved, potential buyers will definitely know.”
Liz Jeffery agrees that you should look at your house from a buyer’s point of view. “Address anything that stands out, such as loose cables and areas that need a repaint,” she says.
“You won’t lose money investing in the front of your property, as a home that looks good from the outside will get more buyers through the door who’ll appreciate the space inside.”
Find local estate agents to help with your move in the Houzz Professionals Directory.