Enhancing Curb Appeal

Posted by Joyce Tourney on Monday, June 6th, 2022 at 3:19pm.

When you are selling your home, most people tend to focus on the interior. Although the interior is key, the exterior sets the first impression. It’s important to make sure that your home provides the best, first impression because it can make a dramatic difference in how many people click on your listing or drive past and call to book a showing. With the exterior being such an important feature, we have created a list to help you enhance your home’s curb appeal.

Trim Back Trees & Shrubs

Sometimes, all it takes is trimming your trees and shrubs to kick your yard up a notch. If you follow the perfect pruning practice, it involves trimming about 1/3 of the good wood during any major pruning session. Trimming just enough is important to help new growth which is rewarding if done in moderation: it’s how plants heal and stimulate new growth (e.g., buds).

Manicure Your Lawn

Keeping your lawn cut and well maintained is crucial to curb appeal. Here are some tips to keep your lawn maintained whilst your home is on the market:

- Set your mower height as high as it will go for spring cuts to allow the grass to establish growth.

- Make sure your mower blade is very sharp (i.e., so you’re cutting the blades of grass and not tearing them).

- Fertilize your lawn every 5-6 weeks or every long weekend [e.g., Victoria Day (late May), Canada Day (early July), Saskatchewan Day (early August), September (Labour Day)]; this let’s new roots and growth establish in early spring.

- Water your lawn 2-3 times per week pending rainfall or any municipal water restrictions.

Plant Colour in the Yard

Adding colour to your yard creates a serene and relaxing environment for you and for those viewing your home. If planting flower beds isn’t an option, planting flowers or greenery in pots is an excellent alternative as well! (See Section 10 - 20 Plant Options).

Tidy Up Roof & Gutters

Although you may feel your roof and gutters may seem like an unseen aspect of your home, it is one of, if not the first thing, you see when you arrive to a showing. Having a clean roof and clean gutters helps show the potential buyers that the home has been cared for and extra steps taken.

Walk Ways & Driveways

Clean walk ways and driveways are satisfying and a game changer when it comes to the appearance of your home - the task is not costly yet very effective. Cleaning your driveway starts by addressing any grease or oil stains – remove the worst by applying absorbent substances like kitty litter or sawdust for 12-24 hours. With grease or oil stains removed or reduced, sweep up the remnants and dispose of them. Follow that by sweeping the entirety of the driveway/walkway clearing any loose debris. Subsequently, combine baking soda or a sprinkling of dishwashing detergent with hot water in a bucket, using a deck brush or something similar to scrub the driveway. Once each step has been completed, rinse off the driveway/walkway and there you have it!

Address Your Mailbox

When you go for a stroll through your neighbourhood and you spot that house with the adorable mailbox out front, doesn’t it make an impact on the overall look of the home? You can use your mailbox to make a statement and to enhance the aesthetic of your home. Change the look or style by painting, decorating or perhaps replacing the mail box.

Clean Windows

Having clean windows makes a great deal of difference in the exterior and interior of the home. It’s inviting and makes people curious about what’s on the inside of the home. If the windows are dirty and/or the blinds are askew, it deters potential buyers and gives the impression that the home is not very well taken care of. Cleaning your windows with a simple vinegar and water solution, while paying attention to how the blinds are drawn, can create a more inviting experience.

Stage Your Yard as You Do for the Interior

Highlight the possibilities that your home’s outdoor space offers to make your house stand out to prospective buyers. Make sure your yard is tidy (i.e., cut lawn, weeded, planted greens and flowers where you see fit) and use neutral-toned patio furniture with pops of colour (e.g., throw pillows) to help create an environment your potential buyers could see themselves in.

Small but Noticeable Changes

If your budget is tight but you need to make some changes to enhance the exterior of your home before you sell it, there are a couple of things you can do. Firstly, update the house numbers on your home to make a noticeable difference as well as modernize it. Another small enhancement is updating your door mat - there are so many affordable and stylish welcome mats that can bring a pop of colour to your front entrance. Lastly, place path/lawn lights along your walkway and/or surrounding your garden beds to create an ambience both day and night!

10. 20 Plant Options

If you are new to gardening or you need a quick reminder on what to plant where, how much water they should receive and/or simply knowing the numerous types of plant there are, we’ve created a short list to help answer some of those questions: