WOW Them From Your Curbside

Have you ever pulled up in front of a home or driven pass one and the curb appeal just made you think, "Oh Wow!"

The WOW factor is priceless when it hits someone from curbside and that is exactly the appeal you want to accomplish when listing your home for sale. If you "don't get them" at the curb, you may as well kiss your chances of seeing them walk through the door goodbye. A perspective buyer's connection to your home can be rather immediate and if they don't feel one with your home the competition in your neighborhood will be their next focus.

Creating curb appeal does not have to cost a fortune but it will take a little bit of planning on your part before you post that For Sale sign on your front lawn. Approach your home with the eye of a shopper. You may want to scope out those other homes in the general vicinity also up for sale and see how your home compares to them. Be honest, critical and leave your ego at the door. What makes them stand out? What can you do to compliment the outside look of your property?

It could be as simple as taking something away i.e. removing clutter, putting lawn equipment & tools in their proper places, pick up fallen tree limbs or removing those touching the roof, clean out your gutters, remove spider webs, rake away the leaves and excess grass after you mow the lawn and trim the walkways, power wash the siding and clean all the windows inside and out so they will sparkle in the sunshine. If your shrubs are overgrown, cut them back and weed out around them.

Low Cost Additions

• Fresh paint on outside trim & front door
• Replace old door hardware with something new
• Brighten up the front porch with large pots filled with a colorful arrangement of seasonal flowers and hanging planters or ferns
• Place window boxes in the front as a compliment

Buyers also drive by after work and early evening which can change the outside "awe" of a home. You may want to also keep in mind the following:

• Is your entrance properly lighted? If not, add a decorative fixture or lamp/post. If you have already have a light post, surround it with an attractive bed of flowers including the color white as it shows up in dim light and reflects when the outside light is on.
• Set the stage and light sidewalks, along the drive way or highlight landscape elements with solar lighting you can find pretty inexpensively at your local discount stores.
• Make a landscape spot stand out with a spot light
• Open heavy drapes, shades, and blinds in the evening to let interior light out. Privacy sheers make buyers feel that your home offers privacy and at the same time present a gentle glow that looks attractive at night.
• If you can see a peek of your back yard, add gentle lighting to spark their imagination so they can envision it as space for entertaining guests.

Remember, buyers need to visualize in their minds eye what it would be like to occupy your home. You do not have to be a landscape designer to create a beautiful and captivating picture nor do you have to invest a lot of money to incite a "Wow Factor."