How to add value to your home using ‘curb appeal’
‘Curb appeal’ you might ask what is that? Certainly, this glass afficionada had to stop and think for more than just a moment, but then the penny dropped and realisation dawned that ‘curb appeal’ is what can be seen and appreciated at first glance of a house and front garden from the street or the curb when walking or driving past that precious patch of homespun pride and joy.
Ask any real estate vendor and they’ll tell you that it’s common knowledge that would-be purchasers have already made up their minds as to how much your house is worth by the time they reach the front porch to view the interior and back of the property. And, not just from doing their homework prior to the inspection, but mostly from that all-important first impression from the vantage point of the ‘curb’.
Apparently, many realtors advise their clients to update front-facing windows and doors when arranging to put a property on the market, and often also include the entire suite round the house. The end reaping of profit far outshines the cost of undertaking these renovations. Increased energy efficiency also plays a large part in sales-price expectation and newly updated double-glazed glass windows and screen doors are much-desired features at property auctions.
When considering upgrades, the original style of a home should carefully be considered. For example, if the house is new then the lines should be clean and modern, but if it dates back more than a decade, then the architecture and era of the property should be factored in with any upgrades fitting in with the original house style. This also includes the garage door, which is prominent feature, and could be an eye sore and so detract from the fiscal value of the property.
Front and back gardens should also reflect the owner’s lifestyle and hedge pruning and lawn trimming is an absolute must unless you had the foresight to put in a native garden that looks better when it sprawls wild and beautiful and, with a worm bed, saves an absolute mint in wasted water and aching gardener’ backs.
