Why Is Curb Appeal Critical When Selling Your Home?

Demand for homes in Toronto may be high, but that doesn’t necessarily mean selling your home is easy. High prices and other factors are making buyers more uncertain than ever.

As a result, homeowners must pull out all of the stops to make their property as appealing as possible. If you want to earn top dollar, you can’t take shortcuts in getting your home ready to greet potential buyers.

One area that homeowners tend to overlook is the importance of curb appeal. How does your house look from the outside? Does it make visitors gasp with delight and wish they lived there? Or is the exterior of your home a little on the underwhelming side?

In either case, there’s no need to worry. Today’s post will show you how to get potential buyers interested in your home from the moment they see it, either online or from the outside. There are a few easy things that you can do to make sure your home looks its best.

Maintain the Lawn

It will never cease to amaze us at how many homeowners will meticulously clean the inside of their home while letting the lawn grow wild. You don’t have to spend hours on yard work or invest in expensive landscaping to impress potential buyers.

Simply ensuring the grass is cut and the lawn is weed-free is often enough to do the trick. For added effect, you could always plant a few annuals for a splash of colour. If you don’t have gardens, place a couple of large pots at your entrance with flowers to create an inviting atmosphere.

Remember that the outside is the first thing a buyer will see and it will set the tone for the rest of their viewing experience. It’s essential to do everything possible to ensure this impression is positive!

Creating beautiful curb appeal is important, but it’s only one part of an effective selling strategy. You’ll get an even more complete picture by reading the posts below:

• My House Didn’t Sell. Now What Should I Do?
• Advice For Seniors Selling Their Family Home
• What Are The Fastest Ways To Add Value To Your Home When Selling?

Make Minor Repairs

Painting the inside walls of your home is an obvious improvement that most people invest in before selling. That said, many homeowners neglect the exterior. There are numerous outdoor repairs that are just as simple as painting and will also have a dramatic effect on your sale. Below are just a few examples.

• A fresh coat of paint on your front door and garage that matches your trim colour can do wonders for your outdoor aesthetic.
• Update old house numbers with iron or brass numbers. You can find them at Canadian Tire, Home Depot, other hardware stores or even online. This tiny detail can have a subconscious effect on potential buyers by giving the impression that the house has been well-maintained.
• If the lawn has patches, consider reseeding or sodding to create a healthy, natural appearance.
• Be sure to keep all walkways clear and tuck any outdoor tools, garbage cans, and recycling bins away in a shed or in the garage. Cleanliness on the outside matters just as much as on the inside, if not more.

Focus on Illumination

Ideally, people would always visit your home during the day when natural light is optimum. However, in today’s market, where everyone is rushing around with hectic schedules, you may have to be more accommodating. Being flexible with viewing times can increase exposure to buyers who might not otherwise be able to see your home.

Often, this means scheduling showings after work hours when the sun has gone down. When selling during the winter or fall, early nights are a fact of life. The good news is this is your chance to illuminate your home with outdoor lighting!

Solar lights come in all different designs and colours, which can bathe your home in a warm glow that almost feels magical. Use them all along walkways, front steps, and to light up your garden. They also tend to be inexpensive and no installation is necessary.

If you want to take outdoor lighting to the next level, you could invest in a new wired fixture on your front porch to increase the charm of your entrance or driveway. Well lit front exteriors are also practical, as those homes are safer and less likely to be the subject of an invasion.

How will the current market affect the sale of your home? The posts below will give you some insight:

• Real Estate Jargon-What It Really Means
• Know the Real Estate Cycles and Hack the Market
• How to Find Great School Options in Etobicoke

Add the Finishing Touches

Potential buyers are sure to fall in love at first sight now that you’ve spruced up your yard and made all of those minor updates. You yourself may be astounded at the transformation these small improvements can make. However, there are still a few finishing touches that can enhance the effect even more.

• Add one or two pieces of seasonal decor to make your exterior even more homey and inviting.
• If applicable, set up some patio furniture to highlight your outdoor living space. Even a condo balcony could be a cozy coffee nook with a small table and some greenery.
• Sunshine is important, but so is shade. If your backyard is in full sun, consider a pergola or gazebo where the resident can lounge outside in comfort.

The more your potential buyers can imagine living in your home and want to make that vision a reality, the better your chances of a faster sale at the highest possible amount. Creating beautiful curb appeal is one critical piece of the puzzle.

Are you looking for more advice to ensure your home purchase or sale is a success? Our South Etobicoke real estate agents are here to help. Reach out to contact@thompsonsells.com or call 416-450-5900 for more information.