We wrap up our realtor series with local realtor Stasia Rice of Avenue Realty and Make it Home – Staging & Design, discussing tips for adding curb appeal to your home! Whether you are trying to make a first impression for selling your home or determining a routine schedule for your home, Stasia offered some great tips on simple projects you can do to maintain your space. Please note: some of the advice in this episode may be location-specific. Please consult your local realtor and/or property manager before getting started.
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Making a First Impression
The outside of your home is the first thing you and a buyer see when encountering a space – just like a handshake when meeting someone. For either scenario, having a neat and clean appearance helps to build that first impression and sends a message about what someone can expect when entering your home. Some factors, including overgrown shrubbery that hides the house, peeling paint on the doors and trim, and damaged wood, could warn a buyer that more maintenance issues on the inside need attention. Neat appearances also help to add value to the neighborhood as a whole.
Incorporating Routines
With what can seem like a never-ending to-do list, Stasia recommends setting routines, and using the seasons can help. Make reminders on your phone or use a task list, and keep in mind annual tasks to check in on, such as gutter maintenance to avoid moisture from creeping in towards the home, and snow removal during the winter is vital to reduce issues down the road. Springtime especially can be a busy time for curb appeal maintenance, trimming branches, planting fresh plants, putting down mulch, and more. Establishing a plan before the season will help ensure your yard looks its best.
In addition to having a plan when living in a place, these routines are essential to remember when selling a home. Keeping on top of maintenance for your yard, between mowing and weeding, ensures your property looks best when potential buyers drive by or stop by. Try to keep some of these routines in place during the selling process, making it easier for that new homeowner when they close on the property.
The Power of Paint
Paint can make a massive difference in freshening up a space. Benjamin Moore’s exterior paints provide homeowners and professionals with many options to improve the appearance of their home, from the front door to siding and trim and more. They offer products to paint vinyl, and Romabio limewash can transform the look of a tired brick home.
When choosing a color, try fresh or bright colors that can draw attention but still fit in with the neighborhood. Cardinal Home Center’s paint team has paint brochures and expertise to help you find the right color combinations for your home. In some cases, trim might be the only paint that is needed. Other areas Stasia mentioned include shutters and front doors.
Lawn Care
Stasia touched briefly on some lawn care items to remember, especially if you are getting ready to sell. A green lawn, while attractive to buyers, does not always have to be a perfect golf course-like lawn. Place fresh mulch in your flower beds, and trim back any shrubs. Also, if you have any bare spots in your yard where a pet may like to dig, covering those in is a bonus. Charlottesville and the surrounding areas also might have some backwoods that adjoin the property. Cleaning out some of these areas can help buyers see the potential for that usable space on their property.
Outdoor Spaces
Although not necessarily in front of your home, creating outdoor spaces where you can help build a welcoming space for buyers expands the amount of living space available. For example, having a small grill on a patio or deck allows buyers to imagine how to use the space. Keep it simple and less cluttered, but enough that the buyer can see the potential. Realtors can also help with staging outdoor spaces and front areas before getting ready for sale. For homeowners staying in a home, these outdoor spaces like patios, fire pits, and back decks are great for entertaining and add potential value to your property.
We want to extend a warm thank you to Stasia Rice for her time and expertise in recording this episode. This episode is designed to give you a general idea of your project. Please consult our team members to make recommendations for your specific needs.
Cardinal Home Center is a locally-owned home improvement and building supply store servicing homeowners and contractors throughout Central Virginia. Since 1987, we have built a strong reputation by offering premium home improvement brands, quality building supplies, and exceptional customer service. Learn more by visiting cardinalhomecenter.com.