To sell a house in LA county or in another location, there usually needs a certain amount of maintenance done beforehand. Some homes just seem to need more than others, and some people are naturally better than others at maintaining their property. However, no matter who you are or where your property is located, there is always room for improvement when it comes to enhancing the curb appeal of your property.
Why should you enhance the curb appeal?
Enhancing the curb appeal can increase the value of your property. This is important if you’re planning on selling your home or renting it out to a tenant. One of the main factors that potential buyers and renters typically take into consideration when they are thinking about purchasing property is how well maintained and appealing the exterior is.
The outside of your home can speak volumes about how much you care about maintaining your property and caring for who steps inside. There’s nothing worse than walking up to an unkempt home with overgrown bushes, dirty siding, and peeling paint. It communicates that no one cares enough about the property as far as yard work and upkeep go, which leaves a potential buyer wondering what other bad things might be happening behind closed doors that aren’t immediately apparent from the outside of the building.
With that said, this article will discuss 10 ways to enhance the curb appeal of your property:
1. Clean Your Front Door and Windows
When people first see your house as they approach it from the street, what do they see first? If you answered, “the front door” or “the windows,” congratulations! You’re correct! The key here is getting rid of all dirt and grime that may be on the front door and windows. Steam clean your windows if necessary, and make sure you replace all the cracked window panes.
2. Mow Your Lawn
This should be a relatively easy one for all homeowners to do, but so many people don’t bother doing it for some reason! The bottom line is that your house will look much better if you regularly mow your lawn. Garden services can make your lawn look like a professional service has been working on it for you, but those services can be very expensive.
3. Keep Your Driveway Clean
If you want to boost the curb appeal of your house, keep your driveway as clean as possible. You can accomplish this by sweeping up dirt and debris regularly. Additionally, pay attention to any dark stains in the concrete because those could be problematic. If necessary, make an appointment with a driveway repair company to fix those concerns.
4. Trim Back Trees and Shrubs
Your lawn may look great, but what about the trees and bushes that are on your property? If they’re overgrown, having them trimmed back will improve the curb appeal of your home. Depending on your particular situation, it may be a good idea to hire an arborist to do this work for you.
5. Replace Old Trees
Some homeowners with big properties might have old trees or dead trees on their property. These kinds of conditions can make your entire property look worse than it really is (if that’s even possible), so be proactive and replace these kinds of things as soon as possible. Indigenous trees are the best kind of trees to have on your property, but not everyone can afford them.
6. Fix Up Small Things Like Broken Fences
Another thing that affects the overall appearance of the exterior is neglecting small issues like broken fences. Go around and fix up all the little things you see on your property. Wooden decks are also something to think about; you can either maintain them or do an outright replacement. If you have some decking ideas, perhaps it makes sense to replace the current deck.
7. Improve Your Walkway
If you have a walkway leading to your front door, be sure it is clear of any objects or debris. Additionally, make sure there are no cracks in the concrete. Uneven surfaces can cause people’s feet to trip as they approach your front door, creating an accident hazard for them.
8. Clean Up Any Messes On The Sidewalk or Stoop
Although this tip directly correlates with tip number two about mowing the lawn, it should be given its own clause because other small items can affect the overall appearance of your home exterior. Therefore, if you spot anything on your sidewalk or stoop, be sure to take care of it promptly.
9. Get Rid Of Any Dead Plants
Like dead trees, dead plants can make a property look run down and undesirable even if the rest of the exterior is well-maintained. Therefore, take the time to go around to all the plants on your property and remove any that have died. Landscaping services can do this for you, or you can purchase an inexpensive pair of gardening shears and cut them down yourself.
10. Add Some Artwork To Your Property
Artwork will give your exterior a finished look as well as provide it with some personality. Be sure to add artwork that reflects your personality and tastes. However, be careful when adorning the exterior of your house because you don’t want to overdo it. Additionally, don’t try to use this tip as a way to “hide” something. For example, if you have an ugly roofline or a funny-looking chimney, you can’t cover them up with artwork.
Hire a Professional
If all else fails, there is still one thing left to do to enhance the curb appeal of your property: hire a professional! There are dozens of different types of professionals that can make your house look great again. A good place to start is by contacting local contractors who specialize in things like carpet cleaning or lawn care. Those kinds of people should be able to provide solutions for any issues on your property. Just remember that any services they offer will probably come at a price, so prepare yourself accordingly. The end goal here should be reputable companies working on your home’s exterior, making it shine!
In Conclusion
As stated earlier in this article (and throughout its body), these tips are not hard and fast rules that must be followed every time you go out of town for vacation. Rather, they’re guidelines that will help increase curb appeal via small aesthetic changes. The point is there’s always room for improvement when it comes to enhancing the curb appeal of your home!
Image Credits: Dillon Kydd
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