According to a 2020 report by The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, curb appeal, the overall attractiveness of a home’s appearance, accounts for up to 7 percent of a home’s sales price. Fortunately, getting the most out of your home’s appearance is a relatively easy task.
Some curb appeal improvements are purely cosmetic, but most involve regular landscaping and maintenance.
According to HGTV, one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve a home’s curb appeal is to paint your front door. Exterior paint costs about $35 a gallon, making it a relatively inexpensive option to apply a new coat of paint to your front door. Choose a bold color for your front door, something that will make it stand out and draw attention to the home.
Another inexpensive way to improve your home’s curb appeal is to add some greenery. Although plants take time and effort to maintain, adding value to your home is well worth the effort.
While arranging a full garden can have a big impact, simply using plants to emphasize key visual points – such as windows and doors – can also have a significant impact.
“Whether it’s a wreath or a planter full of greenery, this piece of nature adds life to your front door,” said Shea McGee of Marthastewart.com Studio McGee.
According to Moving.com, simply maintaining your lawn is a simple and effective way to greatly improve curb appeal. Mow the grass, rake the leaves and pull the weeds. Water your lawn to prevent brown spots. Those who live in dry climates may find it more difficult to maintain a living lawn, making shrub beds and artificial turf a better alternative.
Another great way to improve curb appeal is to replace any old hardware in the front of the house, according to Better Homes & Gardens. A front door lock, mailbox, and any overhead lights visible from the street are all great opportunities to draw attention to your home. Contemporary homes often find great success with brushed nickel finishes, while more traditional homes can use oiled bronze fixtures.
