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Feb 2024
7 Quick Exterior Home and Property Improvements
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and when it comes to selling your house, that’s a true statement—everything is featured online these days. Sprucing up the outside of your house and property is one step to making your home more comfortable while attracting potential buyers. Buyers don’t want to do a lot of anything when it comes to a “new” home.
Outdoor projects don’t have to require a lot of time or money, and they’ll help your home be camera-ready for the sales market. Here are a few curb appeal chores to add to the property improvement list.
Guest post by Teri Silver
Photos in article provided by 3rd party
Yard Cleanup
Shaggy grass, overgrown beds, high weeds, and dead flowers give would-be buyers a negative “first-look” impression. Flower and vegetable gardens are nice additions—if they’re cared for properly.
Organic pest control protects lawns and gardens from being chewed by insects, and it doesn’t damage the environment. If you’re not the DIY type, hire a lawn service to get your yard into shape. While you’re at it, clear out debris and old clutter that has turned your home into a junkyard.
Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping is a type of landscaping design that uses rocks, seating, hardscapes, and native plants to create a water-conserving space that enhances natural landscaping. Since xeriscapes don’t need a lot of water, they do well in dry, hot summers.
The best part? You won’t need to do a lot of maintenance to keep them looking cool. Native plants suitable for xeriscaping include cacti, lantana, columbine, coral honeysuckle, and Texas sage.
Paint It Pretty
Painting or staining is a simple way to brighten up the outside of your house, and it’s something you can either do yourself or hire a contractor. While the cost of exterior house painting varies, this investment will attract buyers to the overall aesthetics of the property—faded and chipped paint is a real turn-off.
Paint or stain doors, garage doors, window frames, shutters, fences, and railings. By the way, painting a front door black may raise the selling price by a few thousand dollars.
House Numbers and Mailboxes
Dented, chipped mailboxes are easy to spot from the street and one of the first things would-be buyers see when approaching your property. It may seem a bit trivial, but replacing a broken mailbox with one that fits your outdoor décor gives the impression of a more cohesive look. While you’re at it, replace your house address numbers with large, easy-to-see digits.
Driveway and Walkways
Dirt, oil, stains, and greasy grime build up on driveways and garages, no matter how old your house is. Hose down the driveway with a spray nozzle or power washer—cement and asphalt soaps are available at your favorite home improvement store.
Spice up your yard with solar sticks, windchimes, bird feeders, and yard ornaments. Replace moldy outdoor carpeting. Place a welcome mat by the front door. Hang a few flower baskets and maybe a few suncatchers. And sports memorabilia, like a Dallas Cowboys flag, may bring like-minded fans to your door.
Outdoor Lighting and Security
Bright light is welcoming to owners and visitors. Light and security signage let would-be burglars know that the property is protected from intrusions. Modern lighting with energy-efficient LED bulbs is an inexpensive way to brighten up your home’s perimeter. Smart-home security systems are also a plus, especially because new buyers can control them with a tap of their cell phones.
Backyard Updates
“Outdoor living” is an attraction for today’s homebuyers, so wouldn’t it be great to have a pool in your backyard? But digging a hole in the ground isn’t always practical. Still, you can make your backyard more attractive by building a privacy fence, deck, patio, pergola, or gazebo. Or, install an automatic awning that shades the patio from the hot sun. Add a few Artificial Intelligence (AI) gadgets like doorbells, window sensors, and door locks to really bring your house up to speed.
A house won’t take care of itself but the more you do for it, the more it will do for you—increase in selling price that is. Whether you hire out or DIY, improving your property is a boost to your financial investment. And when you’re ready to list your home or property, Unique Exposure Photography can provide just the right staging and ensure your home photographs to its full potential.
Teri Silver is a journalist and outdoor enthusiast. She and her husband live on 5 acres with a vast lawn, three gardens, a farm, a pond, many trees, and a lot of yard work! The best parts of the year are summer and fall when home-grown veggies are on the dinner table.