5 Ways to Add Curb Appeal to Your Home

If you're planning to put your home up on sale or spruce up your home's exterior, curb appeal is most likely on your mind. It is how a house looks when you first pull up to it which can make the difference between a home that quickly sells and one that sits on the real estate market for a very long time.

Make an excellent first impression on potential home buyers with these simple tips:

1. Paint your front door.

You don't have to install a new door if it's in a good working condition. Painting your front door with a new color can save you more money and can brighten up any home's exterior instantly. A color that complements the color of your house but is a strong contrast is highly-recommended by experts.

2. Manicure your lawn.

One of the key parts of curb appeal is a well-manicured lawn. A healthy-looking and freshly-cut lawn can add a good amount of curb appeal to any home. To always keep it looking great, water, fertilize, and mow your lawn regularly. You can also replace grass with other vegetation or space covering.

3. Wash dirt buildup.

Though it may not look too obvious from a distance, homes get dirty from the weather. Rain, wind, and heavy snow could cause grime buildup on every surface of your home - brick, stucco, siding, etc. Buildup can also be found on your driveways, sidewalks, and walkways. To remove dirt buildup, use a hose and set it on its strongest pressure or use a pressure wash with water.

4. Install a new house number.

Placing a large and stylish house number is one of the most common ways of adding curb appeal. There are several ways of placing your house number. You could place it on a rock in the garden or you could place it on a wood backing to give contrast to your siding. You can also choose house numbers that are written in cursive. There are several styles and designs available so choose the best one.

5. Improve your exterior lighting.

An exterior lighting can be awe inspiring. But you don't have to change the entire bulbs at home. Just replace those that are damaged or that don't work anymore. You can also install a few outdoor lighting. It doesn't require a lot of lights to create a huge impact on your landscape and you don't have to call an electrician if you want to improve the look without the expense. Most hardware stores sell outdoor lighting DIY kits.