Photo courtesy of Myra Nourmand's current lease listing, 620 North Linden Drive.
You only get one chance to create a first impression. Whether you’re selling your home, complying with HOA regulations, or competing with your neighbors to have the best looking home on the block (because neighbors are quite competitive), curb appeal can either have a “wow” or a “ho-hum” effect.
One report, by Nextdoor and Thumbtack, revealed the worst curb appeal issues, such as overgrown landscaping, and poorly maintained fences and exterior. Those aren’t concerns that any neighbor or buyer wants to deal with.
That’s why curb appeal is so important — especially when selling your home. “The initial impression a property creates is significant, and since the exterior is the first thing a potential buyer sees, you want to invest in activities that can significantly enhance the overall appeal of your home,” says Brett Ringelheim, licensed real estate salesperson at Compass in New York, NY. “This ensures that prospective buyers are greeted with a positive and inviting impression, setting the stage for a favorable experience as they explore the property.”
And don’t limit your curb appeal activities to your front yard. Marine Sargsyan, Houzz staff economist, tells me that in the2024 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study that she authored, homeowners plan to renovate the following locations:
81% plan to renovate the back of the home
46% plan to renovate the front of the home
38% plan to renovate the side of the home
5% plan to renovate the rooftop
These various upgrades range from creating features and decorating, to making minor repairs or maintenance.
While 51% of survey respondents want to improve aesthetics, 37% want to enhance entertaining space, and 33% want to extend the living space of their home. That’s not surprising since Houzz has declared 2024 The Year of Backyard, and homeowners are actively working to create a great outdoor entertaining space.
These are some of the curb appeal projects that can help you create a great first impression:
Upgrade The Front Door
Sargsyan notes that 70% of survey respondents plan to upgrade their front door. “The most popular front door colors are black (24%), red (23%), white (18%), blue (13%) and green (11%),” she explains. Among homeowners who upgraded the material, wood was the most popular material (33%). “This was followed by lited doors that include glass (26%), and fiberglass clad exterior with a wood or wood composite interior (18%),” Sargsyan says. Some homeowners are also choosing a fiberglass exterior/wood interior, fully fiberglass, and a very small percentage is opting for an aluminum exterior with a wood interior.
Update The Home Numbers and Mailbox
One incredibly easy way to update your home’s exterior is to add new house numbers. “In our study, 12% of homeowners added new numbers to their front doors,” Sargsyan says. While house numbers should be functional, there’s no reason why they can’t also be decorative elements as well. And according to Brian Feldman, senior director of technical operations at TruGreen, an outdated mailbox can damage your curb appeal. “Replacing it is a cost-effective way to add style to your home,” he explains.
Refresh The Exterior Walls
The Houzz survey reveals that 58% of homeowners plan to upgrade an exterior wall surface. “Nearly a quarter used natural wood (23%) as a lap (53%), vertical (49%) or shingle (24%) siding,” Sargsyan explains. Regarding colors, she says that white (23%), gray (19%) and beige (10%) are the most popular colors – although a small segment of homebuyers are going for bold primary colors: blue (4%), red (3%) and yellow (3%).
Among those choosing siding, white is also the most popular siding color (28%), followed by black (22%). and green (13%). Sargsyan also tells me that 71% of homeowners are choosing contrasting wall and trim colors.
Repair Or Replace The Roof
The condition of your roof could affect your homeowners insurance, and when your home’s on the market, it’s not a problem that you can conceal. In fact, the condition of a roof is one of the main reasons homebuyers should never waive a home inspection.
According to Sargsyan, 64% of survey respondents completely replaced their roof. “The most common materials included asphalt-dimensional shingles (34%), and asphalt-3 tab-shingles (19%),” she says.
Invest in Landscaping
It won’t matter that your home’s exterior is freshly-painted and updated if your lawn looks barren. “If the front yard is looking tired or patchy, make sure you have a proper irrigation schedule and consider reseeding/fertilizing, “advises Ryan Dailey, real estate agent at Realty One Group West in Orange County, California. He also recommends planting some new flowers and shrubs.
Brian Feldman, senior director of technical operations at TruGreen, tells me that there are 20 trees and shrubs that can increase property value. The findings are the result of a study conducted by TruGreen and the National Association of Landscape Professionals.
“Trees and shrubs that are disease-resistant and well-suited for the region in which you live are a huge draw for those looking to sell their home,” Feldman says. He identifies the following as the top 20 trees and shrubs that can add value to your home and boost curb appeal:
Trees
· Black Cherry
· Black Tupelo
· Crape Myrtle
· Linden
· Northern Red Oak
· Red Maple
· Southern Magnolia
· Sugar Maple
· White Fir
· White Oak
Shrubs
· Azalea
· Burning Bush
· Butterfly Bush
· Cherry Laurel
· Hosta
· Hydrangea
· Nandina
· Oakleaf Hydrangea
· Rhododendron
· Roses
Also, for homeowners and buyers who value privacy, installing a wood or iron fence can help. However, Feldman says you can use hedges to both increase lawn privacy and also add a touch of greenery.
Install Windowsill Planters
“One way to draw attention to the main focus points of your home is to add prominent features,” according to Feldman. “Windowsill boxes full of flowers and greenery are a great way to draw attention to your windows and the entryway,” he says.
Replace Light Fixtures
Your exterior light fixtures can either make your home look outdated or increase curb appeal. “Replacing old light fixtures is an easy fix that can improve the exterior of your home,” says Feldman, adding that they can add personality and a fresh look. His view is shared by Michael Moore, professional home inspector at WIN Home Inspection in South Florida. “Create more curb appeal with low-voltage display lighting to accent your landscaping or to provide more visibility in your backyard paradise,” he says. Moore also recommends upgrading the main entry door or garage lighting, noting it can have a substantial impact on your home.
Clean The Exterior
Don’t underestimate the impact of cleaning your home’s exterior. Moore recommends power washing your home and driveway, cleaning windows, and touching up caulk to make the home look fresh.
Discourage Pests
No one likes to see pests scurrying around a property. “Pests like ants, spiders, flies, and roaches begin to seek shelter in homes as early as spring, while sod webworms and chinch bugs may become active in lawns,” Feldman says. And let’s not forget about those pesky mosquitoes. “Removal of breeding sites from the property such as standing water or debris piles against the house are excellent first steps,” Feldman explains. He also recommends trimming tree and shrub foliage so it doesn’t touch your house and provide a bridge for insects.
