Spring and summer are the most popular seasons for house hunting. School’s out, the weather is beautiful, and many more homes are on the market than during the winter. If you’re selling your home during this time of high demand, you want to be sure that your home really stands out. To do this, I recommend starting from the outside. That’s right—if the outside of your house doesn’t look appealing, potential buyers will assume that the inside of the house is just as drab and won’t even bother entering your front door.
1: Water Your Grass and Keep It Healthy
At the beginning of spring, aerate your lawn and apply a fertilizer. Next, throw down some grass seeds to encourage growth—especially in damaged areas. Be sure to mow frequently and leave the clippings on the lawn because they provide nutrients to help your grass grow. Lastly, dig out the pesky weeds by the root as soon as you see them.
2: Introduce Color
Hanging flower baskets or flower pots are a great way to add a splash of color to the front of your home. Be sure to water and deadhead to keep them blooming! Geraniums are a beautiful, low-maintenance pick.
3: Fill in Those Cracks
Over time, asphalt driveways will inevitably develop cracks. Take a careful look at your driveway to identify where the cracks are. Depending on the damage, you may be able to do a quick DIY fix using a pourable crack filler. If your driveway looks like Godzilla has paid a visit, bring in the professionals.
4: Be Boring
You heard it right—while your home is up for sale, you’ve got to appeal to the masses. It’s not the time to express your individuality. You may think your turquoise blue garage is beautiful and shows off your personality, but I can tell you that it’s a deterrent. If homebuyers don’t like your taste from the outside, there’s no way they’re going to enter that front door. Grab a can of paint in a neutral color and paint over that monstrosity (err personal flare?).
Remember, as soon as a potential buyers take the first glimpse of your home they will scrutinize every little detail. If they don’t like what they see, they may not even bother getting out of the car. Every little ‘problem’ they pick out equates to dollar signs and more work. Make sure to give them the best impression you can by evaluating your front yard and implementing a few inexpensive quick fixes.