We can't tell sellers enough how important curb appeal is. How many times have you witnessed a buyer make a judgment about a home the moment they pull up to the curb? For us, it seems like every time. Occasionally, they don't even want to go inside. Also, buyers typically decide within about 20 seconds of being inside a home whether or not they want to buy it. So all the decision making went on from the impression they got from the street and their initial impression seeing the interior of the home.
Here are our suggestions regarding curb appeal if you are getting ready to sell your home:
* If you have an obvious problem that needs addressing (roof, siding, peeling paint, pointing work, sidewalks), get it taken care of before you list. Buyers and sometimes mortgage companies will ask for it anyway after the home inspection or appraisal, but it can turn off many buyers who won't even consider putting in an offer because of those defects. Don't take a triple hit on price, inspections, and time on the market.
* Take a good hard look at your landscaping. Trim back tree branches, weed, rake, mulch, manicure the lawn, plant flowers, etc. Make sure the house is not too hidden by overgrown trees and shrubbery.
* Freshen up the front entry; add a touch of color and some decorative items. Consider painting the front door and add a seasonal wreath, flag, wind chimes, etc. Don't overdo it; keep it clean and classy. Replace any exterior light bulbs that are burned out. Brush away any cobwebs around the entry.
* Store or throw away any extras, junk or debris around your house. If the playset is in bad shape, take it down. If you have a large camper, boat or any extra (or broken down) cars, preferably find another place to store them during the sale process.
Here is a little story to reinforce the importance of curb appeal:
In the late 1860s, Alonzo Horton was in the process of developing a new downtown San Diego. Horton had purchased 960 acres on San Diego Bay and called it New Town (much to the displeasure of the existing residents of Old Town). By the spring of 1869, 124 houses had been built in and around New Town. To help with the development, Horton wanted the homes to be whitewashed to make the homes appear cleaner and neater, so he offered brushes and lime to the homeowners to do the painting. Although most of the owners agreed, they were slow to get the work completed. So Horton went ahead and hired people to do the some of the whitewashing for them.
Horton instructed his workers to only whitewash the south and west sides of these home because that is all that would be seen by anyone arriving in New Town by ship. Horton left the rest of the job to be done by the homeowners themselves. According to legend, it was the sight of the fresh, clean houses that helped encourage newcomers to make San Diego their home and foster its development as a major West Coast seaport.
Horton Plaza in San Diego is named after Alonzo Horton and "Old Town" (the original downtown area) still remains a section of San Diego. The New Town area that Horton developed is simply San Diego.
~Lisa
Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 for help buying or selling a home in Lansdale, Harleysville, Hatfield, Souderton, Skippack, Collegeville, North Wales and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery County Click Here.
First Impressions: Why Curb Appeal Matters... Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.
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The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
Gina Wherry - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213
