Friday, April 3, 2009

Curb Appeal

The pull to a home via the appearance of the front yard and home is huge, especially if you are selling and especially if you are trying to sell in these uncertain times. Why should buyers take a leap into the financial black with your place?
You are always told by your Estate Agent that you should have a good tidy up etc, but some people just don't get it. It doesn't mean just cut the grass and pull out a few weeds!
It means you should try and spend some money on your home, which may seem silly as you are selling it, but it could add quite a few thousand to your sale price.
The quickest way to do this is to paint. Try and not choose for yourself. You may like blue and yellow, but they may not. So, try and choose colours that are in keeping with the style of your home and stick to a main colour, a trim colour (windows etc) and a accent colour (fascia, gutters, doors etc) like the one above. Neutrals always work well as they look great with a lush green garden.

The entrance to your front door should not be overlooked. Even if it means 'dressing it' for the potential buyers who will be coming through your home. Go inside and bring out a pot of flowers, a quirky but natural looking display piece (like a old birdcage) and if you have a bench, or rocking chair if it is a cottage), some cushions to make it feel like they could plonk down there and stay for a while...like forever!

Back to the garden. Yes cut your lawn, trim and unruly plants, and maybe pot some colour around your front door or any bare patches you may have in your garden beds. Try and not have a tizzy of colours though. Just a few colours will make a HUGE impact. If you can do this a few weeks to a month before you sell, they will have filled out and made your garden not look like a 'I just threw this together cause you were coming' deal. It will look like you care from the front gate to the back fence. Make sure if you have animals to pick up the jobbies, yep everyday!!! If you have a pool, I should be gleaming, pool paraphernalia packed out of sight and maybe some chairs or a little sitting area near by, so buyers can imagine themselves there in Summer having a wine.

Your windows should be sparkly...just don't use newspaper. This worked in the old days because of the carbon in the print, but now days there is a silicon in the print and it will leave smears! If you are selling in Autumn (like here in Australia at the moment), rake up your leaves and compost them, so buyers can see all your hard work. It does look lovely though in this photo. Just not for sale day. Next week I will give you some tips for inside.
Have a great weekend,
Ness xx
images 1- maybley & handler, 2-Architectural Digest, 3- Me, 4- Point Click Home, 5- Country living

11 comments:

  1. Great advice Ness (even if you're not selling your home). Love the scene you have created outside your own home. That rocking chair looks very inviting. Lee :)

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  2. Wow Ness what a good sales pitch. I think you should come work for us. Have a great weekend! Hayley and Trace x

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  3. I didn't know about the newspaper for the windows. Cool little bit of info. Great post!

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  4. Great tips Ness! I wish a few of the vendors selling houses we looked at had known these tips - we saw some shockers here in Tassie, but the worst was the metallic blue textured stucco walls above recently installed glossy pine dado panelling, in the sunny lounge room of a 1960's house! Done especially for the sale!

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  5. Hooray, I've been saying this for years, well done. I am thinking as part of my going home plan, to set up a business that includes, home styling. I think you are so right in the current market there is more reason for people to do everything they can to get their house sold. I will do a post on Albion vs Aotearoa soon to get your feedback on my ideas.

    Have a great weekend :)

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  6. Great post! Love the gorgeous homes you have picked - picture postcard perfect!
    Have a great weekend Ness.

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  7. So true Ness. Have a wonderful weekend, xv.

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  8. So true Ness. Have a wonderful weekend, xv.

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  9. May I please have the house with the pool? That house is to die for!

    Have a great weekend!

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  10. I rather like the autumn leaves - and raking them up is SUCH hard work!

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