Letโs say you live in a neighborhood that was developed in the โ60s and โ70s (in Central Florida). Housing prices are currently ranging from $160,000 to $200,000 for houses with between 1,300 and 1,500 square feet of living space. However, one of your neighbors has a $375,000 price tag on his house. Most of the neighbors give it a weird look when they pass by. Itโs just not much to look at on the outside, and the owner needs to do himself a big favor by improving curb appeal.
In reality, heโs done a fantastic job with the interior of his home. However, your first impression comes as soon as you pull up. Even if he attracts potential buyers to the door, thereโs the issue that the exteriorโs visual appeal doesnโt match the quality of the interior.
If youโre selling your home, adding curb appeal can increase your homeโs value by 3% to 5%, according to Consumer Reports. If youโre a developer, you can significantly enhance the value of an entire neighborhood by planning for proper curb appeal from the outset.
Weโve comeย up with some ways to improve the curb appeal of your home or development, adding more value.
Improving Curb Appeal with Your Home Exterior
Another time improving curb appeal matters is when building a new home. Often, the models you get to choose from include multiple elevations. The difference between the two basic models typically just varies the roof design. Obviously, you canโt change that once the builder completes the house. The third model adds HardieBoard siding to the front wall and gable, along with stoneworkย on the column bases and garage corners. The total upgrade fee: $1,500. A side-by-side comparison of the models easily shows how much the planking and stone add to the look of your home.
If youโre a homebuilder, consider at least offering this kind of feature as an upgrade, if not as a standard feature.
Like the look? These models are available in the Lakeland, FL area from Highland Homes.
A Few Other Curb Appeal Ideas
- New roof/shingles: This is an expensive option, but if itโs time for a replacement, it will show up in an appraisal. Itโs better to do the work before the sale and match an attractive shingle color to the houseโs color.
- Fresh paint: Whether you do it yourself or hire it out, you can completely change the look of the house (for better or worse) with new paint.
- Shutters: Shutters can be functional or not, but they add texture and possibly another color to your homeโs exterior.
Using Landscaping to Improve Curb Appeal
When people see a lawn thatโs well-maintained and with well-thought-outย landscaping, they assume you take care of the rest of your house as well.
In the neighborhood we used above for our example, the landscaping is attractive but minimal. The HOA stays on top of lawn maintenance. It creates the look of a community that cares about the first impression you get, but they could take it further.
The minimal landscaping that comes with the home probably only needs $1,000 to $1,500 worth of work to match the model homes at the sales office. As a developer, the community-wide difference makes the whole neighborhood look like itโs that much more classy. Itโs a cost you can easily pass on to the buyer and boosts the value of everyoneโs home.
Even if youโre not under the watchful eye of an HOA, keep up with your lawn care. Mowing it once a week until the mowing season is over will keep it looking its best. If you want to take it to the next level, consider investing in a robotic mower. These mowers are set to mow every day, and you can schedule them so your yard looks freshly cut every dayโwithout any effort on your part.
Here are a few more tips:
- Trim the hedges every month to help keep their shape
- Trim trees so the lowest limbs are above your head. This gives them the classic look of a full top with plenty of room to enjoy the shade beneath it.
- If youโre not already doing it, edge your hardscape. Your home will stand out as having a crisper look than those that donโt.
- Weed! Nobody really likes to weed that I know, but it makes your yard look so much better. Donโt be afraid to use a spray โ just be sure to aim accurately with your shots so you donโt harm the plants you like.
- Fertilize your plants and lawn to keep them looking lush and vibrant. Use a weed and feed fertilizer on the lawn to help your grass take over.
- If you can afford it, hire a full-service lawn care team.
Adding Exterior Lighting
Ever drive through a wealthy neighborhood? One way to improve curb appeal is to add exterior lights that point up from the ground under windows and in landscaped beds. It gives the impression of a safe and comfortable home, making the features really stand out after the sun goes down.
There are some solar lights that can help you create the effect, but hardwired options will give you a brighter, more dramatic effect. Itโs more expensive to do it that way, but the results are impressive.
