Does Curb Appeal Affect Real Estate Sales and Pricing?

What is Curb Appeal?

Curb Appeal is simply the appeal the home has from the curb or the street.  It is the first impression of the home and property.  Keep in mind that besides viewing real estate photos online and possibly looking at Google Maps or Google Earth to get an idea of where the home is located or how the property is situated, the curb appeal is the actual first impression a buyer has of the home. 

How much does curb appeal affect real estate sales and prices?

A lot, Actually! According to www.homelight.com ,well landscaped homes can cash in on as much as 5.5%-12.7% more than one that lacks landscaping.  For a $300,000 home, that could add up to between $16,500 and $38,100. Wow! In addition, the National Association of Realtors cites that 94% of realtors suggest improvements their sellers need to make to curb appeal and 99% of them believe that curb appeal is important to attracting buyers. 

When I meet with my staging clients for a pre listing consultation, we always start with curb appeal.  My main goal is to educate my clients on what staging is, why it is important, and the role it plays in the home selling process.  

When a buyer is turned off to the condition of the home based on the landscaping and condition of the entry, it is difficult to convince them of the condition and maintenance of the interior of the home, even if it appears to be ok.  The question of how the home has been maintained and cared for is already in their minds. 

What should I do to improve my curb appeal?

Here are 3 things you should do to boost your curb appeal…

1. The entry should be neat and tidy.  The grass should be cut, edging and sidewalks trimmed, weeds out of the flower beds, fresh mulch or straw in the beds.  I recommend that homeowners remove yard art, wind chimes, any toys or bikes, and an abundance of pots to create a neat and tidy look.  
2. The entry should be clean and well maintained.  The property should be recently pressure washed or cleaned so that there is not mold, mud or debris on the house or sidewalk.  If wood is rotted or paint is chipped on the porch, railing, and columns, or the condition of the light fixtures and outdoor fan are less than desirable, steps should be taken to remedy this problem prior to listing. 
3. The entry should be welcoming and make them excited to see more.  Typical recommendations I give to homeowners include placing seating on an entry porch if there is room for one, a wreath or welcoming sign on the front door, a fresh door mat, substantial pots with fresh plants by the front door or at the edge of the porch.

Keep in mind that typically buyers will arrive with or at the same time as their agent. They typically will spend a few minutes lingering at the front door while the agent retrieves the key and unlocks the door.  This gives them time to look around and inspect the condition and overall feel of the home for longer that you may linger there or realize. 

Put yourself in your buyer’s shoes and spend a few minutes lingering at your front entry and analyzing your curb appeal.

How do you think curb appeal or lack thereof affects potential home buyers?

Read more about staging for selling your home and its benefits here.

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