Boost Your Curb Appeal--and Your Home's Value

by Allison E. Beatty

In any real estate market, curb appeal can go a long way in boosting your home's value. After all, curb appeal shapes the view of people walking past the house and those looking to buy it.

When creating curb appeal, start by walking around your property. What do you like about the view and what stands out as uninviting or unattractive? Are there repairs to be made to the front steps? Do the bushes need a trim? Even if the blemishes are small, they could create negative curb appeal and turn potential buyers away from your house.

Paint Your Way to Curb Appeal
One important project to consider when creating curb appeal is painting. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for a home and create an instant "wow" factor for anyone walking by. Look for crisp, clean colors that provide a nice accent for your home's style and architectural details. Consider painting your trim and doors in a contrasting color to further enhance its look.

Paint, Paint, Paint
Painting is one of the most cost-effective was to create curb appeal. It can be completed relatively quickly and provides a big bang for the buck. Depending on the size of the house and the amount of painting needed, you might want to hire a professional for this project. If you just need to touch up a few areas, however, that can be an easy weekend project for a handy homeowner.

Landscaping to Boost Curb Appeal

As you decide which curb appeal projects to tackle, look at the composition created by the house and yard together. Your yard should flow seamlessly into the lines of the home, welcoming people inside rather than stopping them short. By creating the right look and flow throughout the yard, you can create an edge over other homes on the market--or simply boost your home's value with a property appraiser.

When creating curb appeal with landscaping, the solution might be trimming the bushes, weeding the flowerbeds, or adding a new garden near the front porch. Focus on how your eyes travel through the yard and where you can include interesting texture and color. By thinking creatively and doing some of the yard work yourself, you could see a good return on your investment.

For many people, the home is an emotional as well as a financial investment. By adding curb appeal, you can increase the value of your home, make it more pleasant to live in, and boost its marketability for whenever you decide to sell or refinance.

Sources
"Adding Curb Appeal: 6 Ways to Spruce Up the Yard," Realtor Magazine
"Curb Appeal Sells Homes, Survey Says," Realtor Magazine

About the Author
Allison E. Beatty is a syndicated real estate writer who has been writing home improvement columns for 15 years.