INTRODUCTION Curb appeal . . . charisma . . . first impressions. No matter
what the term how a property looks is as essential to a sale as price and location.
Appearances matter, especially if you want buyers to fall in love with your home
even before they set foot on the property. Upping a home’s curb appeals increases
the chance it will be noticed online and in person.
JENN I don’t know if you want to use the JELD-WEN image and this text to like to the
above. See what Noelle thinks. You have the images and here is the copy --- Real estate
agents surveyed by window and door manufacturer said new entry and garage
doors would bring an additional $16,000. Or if you don’t use the images you could
use this text as a pop up ---82 percent of real estate agents surveyed by window and
door manufacturer JELD-WEN had clients who refused to see the inside of a house
based on how the outside looked
I Curb Appeal Checklist
Overgrown yards, too much clutter, and an entry that hides in the shadows do
nothing to attract buyers. Use curb appeal basics — clean, declutter, showcase — to
make your home a standout on the block.
Rub A Dub Dub
Make the outside shine as much as the inside
DON’T HAVE AN IMAGE FOR THIS
Power wash driveways and sidewalks. Remove oil and rust stains.
Make windows sparkle.
Scrub or paint the front door. If necessary replace.
Fix torn screens, loose gutter, peeling paint.
Repair peeling paint.
Declutter
Clutter distracts and lends an overall air of haphazard maintenance.
HAVE A CLUTTER BEFORE AND AFTER TO GO WITH THIS LIST
Remove dead plants and shrubs. Replace if necessary.
Stow trash cans out of sight
Put away children’s toys and yard tools.
Less is More Store excess yard furniture, birdhouses, flags, and pots.
Trim shrubs and trees to clearly show the path of the front door.
Open the View
Buyers can’t fall in love with your house if they can’t see it.
Remove lower branches from trees and trim shrubs to open the view from the street
OVERGROWN BEFORE AND AFTER
Highlight the Entry
Make the front door a focal point
Bring year round green with a shrub or small tree such as Emerald Green
Arborvitae and seasonal favorites in a planter near the door. Use a planter keyed to
the color of the house and make sure the overall height including the plant does not
exceed one third the height of the door.
.Use chairs or an outdoor bench to stage the porch. Set the scene for coffee or lemonade.
Polish or replace hardware. Replace cracked or faulty doorbells.
Dress Up a Plain Jane
Small changes like shutters or paint transform a shrinking violet.
USE PLAIN JANE BEFORE AND AFTER
If your house seems to be just too plain consider adding shutters or make simple
European style shutters using precut wood.
Add window boxes purchased at a home improvement store. Measure from the inside
edge of the shutter so the boxes run along the bottom of the window.
Use paint to highlight or create architectural interest. I HAVE A PHOTO FOR THIS
LABED TAUL
II Adding Pizzazz
Sometimes a house needs more work to realize its potential. Often, small changes
such as new landscaping or reworking the entry can bring big results.
Making a Statement
A new porch, walkway and landscaping make this two story home a standout.
ROLLOVER
The addition of columns and portico changes a humdrum doorway into a gracious entry
A new walkway showcases the door
New color on the shutters and contrasting white paint brings out the trim above the lower
windows.
New beds visually expand the homes presence
Victorian Revival
By highlighting features that make Victorians so desirable, the curb appeal formula
brings this home back to life.
ROLLOVERS
Dark blue, Yellow and white paint makes the trim pop
New landscaping balances the overall size of the home
A small settee creates outdoor living space on the porch
Removal of the garbage can, hose and dying plants cleans up the yard YOU MIGHT
WANT TO USE SOMETHING FROM THE BEFORE IMAGE
21st Century Ranch
The addition of shutters, landscaping and a new entry bring this ranch up to date.
ROLLOVERS
New mulch and larger beds frame the home
Dark shutters dress up the pan exterior
Painting the trim white, a lighter color door and the pergola showcase the front door
which was almost hidden before.
III Planning Ahead
Increasingly remodelers like Scott Mosby in St. Louis are getting calls from homeowners
who want to improve their homes, adding curb appeal they can enjoy for years before
selling.
Quick Change Ranch
A new porch and landscaping give this home a completely new look.
Ordinary to Extraordinary
New porch, shutters and stone transform this home.