
Potential buyers make a lot of judgments before they even walk in the door of your home. With so many listings on the market, seemingly small issues like rusted gutters, cracked driveways, or an overgrown lawn can cause buyers to overlook your property altogether. Invest a little time and energy into helping your home make the best first impression possible. It just may be the difference between a listing that sells quickly at top dollar and one that languishes on the market for months and months. Read on for suggestions for greatly enhancing your home’s curb appeal.
Prioritize the Front Door
Of all the home improvement projects that you could take on, updating your front door provides you with the most consistently high return on investment. According to the Cost vs. Value Report, a replacement steel door averaged a 96.6% return on investment. Updating your door can also make your home more energy efficient, and unlike other home improvement projects, it requires virtually no maintenance.
If a new door is beyond your budget, consider painting your door a bold color and updating the hardware. While you’re at it, make sure that your address signage looks good and has a consistent look with the hardware on your door and your mailbox if it is attached to your house. Add a wreath to create a welcoming environment.

Dedicate Time to Landscaping
Landscaping can make a big impact on the overall appearance of your home, especially if your lawn is lacking in mature trees. Keep shrubs and trees well-manicured and your grass freshly mowed. Also, keep an eye on weeds so that your flower beds look fresh. Introduce pops of color with flowering plants if you can, but ultimately focus on plants that are simple to maintain or that match your level of gardening expertise. Plant marigolds and citronella near the front door to repel insects. Landscaping can be costly and tough work to maintain, but it can also increase your overall home value by an impressive 28%.
If you don’t have a lot of green space, look to achieve a similar effect with window boxes and container gardens.
Install Lighting
Many of your guests and would-be buyers will be visiting your home in the evening after work. Make sure to highlight your home’s best features, while creating a warm and inviting glow. Investing in outdoor lighting can result in a 50% ROI, while also improving your security. Here are ten ways to light the outside of your home for maximum wow factor.
Camouflage Eye Sores
Get creative and come up with attractive ways to conceal items that don’t add to your curb appeal like trash cans, recycling bins, AC units, and electrical boxes. If your electrical boxes are attached to your home, think about painting them the same color as your home to help them fade into the background.
While you're at it, make sure that your gutters and downspouts are in good shape. They may work fine, but if they are rusted or hanging loosely from the house, buyers will wonder what else in your home is being neglected. Firmly adhere gutters and downspouts and give them a fresh coat of paint to brighten up your entire home.
Dress Up Driveways and Walkways
A beautiful driveway and walkway can really compliment your home and landscaping. At minimum you want to make sure to pressure wash and tend to any cracks. If you’re willing to invest more time and money, think about pouring gravel, using grass as a design element, exploring stamp concrete, or installing pavers. If it fits the style of your home and your neighborhood, you can even install a gate for greater privacy and security.
Via Modernize
By: Danielle Hegedus