The old adage of ‘…never judge a book by its cover’ is good guidance, but truth be told, it’s difficult to change a first impression when it comes to real estate. According to a RE/MAX® poll, a shabby exterior is by far the biggest turn-off for buyers when browsing for a new home.
Curb appeal refers to the overall appearance of a home’s exterior and includes landscaping, painting, siding, roof, driveway, and the overall aesthetic look and feel. Most people shopping for properties access MLS® and because listings usually feature a photo of the front of a home, the value of having an attractive home exterior can’t be overstated. It’s too easy for online buyers to bypass great properties by glancing at only one photo. When a home has an unkempt exterior with dead grass, flaking paint, overgrown weeds or a mossy roof, this communicates to buyers that the interior of the home is also in poor shape. By contrast, a study in Realtor magazine reported that homes with an attractive exterior will on average, obtain a 7% higher selling price than comparable homes with a poor exterior.
It’s difficult for homeowners to fully appreciate when their property has seen its best days and has reduced curb appeal. Here’s where an unbiased, third-party opinion can be of enormous help. When putting your home up for sale don’t hesitate to contact home appraisers, real estate agents, stagers, landscapers, home designers or other experts to help you maximize your property’s curb appeal.
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