There’s no one quite like a group of successful house flippers who know how to boost curb appeal quickly. After all, to sell their homes, they must first get people interested in a showing, which starts with an appealing exterior.
While many experts will lament that it’s a seller’s market, the truth is high interest rates and peak home prices make it hard for buyers to justify a mortgage. This means that to sell a home, it needs to be in the most presentable position possible.
To find out what exterior projects are worth the time and cost, I interviewed five experienced house flippers to learn their secrets for boosting curb appeal. Here’s what they had to say.
Easy but Crucial: Keep the Lawn Mowed
“To improve a home’s exterior appeal for sale, I usually start with the easiest, cheapest improvement, which is making sure that the lawn is neatly trimmed,” said Gabe Andrews, founder of Cash Homebuyers Wisconsin.
“Evenly cut grass looks neater, which immediately signals to buyers that the house had ample care and attention given to it. These are key factors that buyers look for. You don’t have to spend a fortune to hire a landscaper to cut the grass in your lawn. All you really need is a lawnmower and a bit of time. If you don’t own a lawnmower, you can rent one for cheap or ask to borrow your neighbor’s for a few hours.”
Clean All Exterior Surfaces with a Power Washer
Nearly all the house flippers I spoke to agreed on a couple of points, including washing every nook and cranny of the exterior. A pressure washer, which you can rent for less than $100, can remove build-up from siding, driveways, walkways, and patios.
“Pressure washing the siding, walkways, and driveway removes dirt and grime, revitalizing the home’s exterior. Clean windows allow natural light to shine through, making the home feel brighter and more appealing,” said Matt Vukovich of Matt Buys Indiana Houses in Mishawaka, Indiana.
Clean Up Your Landscaping and Add Fresh Mulch
Simple landscaping was another popular tip that came up repeatedly. Landscaping doesn’t need to be expensive or extravagant—pruning bushes, pulling weeds, and adding a few pops of colors by placing potted plants near the front door makes a big difference, advised the experts.
A fresh layer of mulch also boosts curb appeal. It gives a house the well-cared-for, manicured look that buyers want.
Make the Front Door Pop
“One of the focal points of a home is the entry door,” said Brian Mollo, CEO of Trusted House Buyers in San Diego, California. “So depending on the condition of the door and frame, you might be able to get away with painting it a trendy color or you might have to replace it entirely.”
Sometimes, though, painting a door isn’t sufficient. “If you have to replace it, I suggest either a faux-wood look or a fiberglass entry door with a steel frame. These will look great and pop in photos, which will be a big improvement in the digital curb appeal of the home as well,” Mollo said.
Fencing Adds Value and Curb Appeal
“A well-maintained and aesthetic fence looks appealing to the eyes and also impacts the curb appeal,” said Jon Sanborn, co-founder of Brotherly Love Real Estate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “It forms a boundary that goes along with the overall exterior aesthetic of homes and finishes the look.”
If you have a fence on your property, wash it or spruce it up with a coat of paint. If you don’t have a fence, you’ll need to decide if the ROI is worth it. Fences can benefit neighborhoods where homes are close and lack boundary lines and privacy.
The Roof Matters, A Lot
Not all curb appeal upgrades are cheap, but many are important, like having a roof replaced. “Installing a new roof not only enhances the home’s appearance but also ensures its structural integrity, which is a significant selling point,” said Vukovich. A leaky, damaged is a warning sign to buyers and can wreak havoc on the interior of your home, causing rot or mold.
While a new roof can cost anywhere from $1 to $15 per square foot, depending on the roofing material, you need to have your roof repaired or replaced at the first sign of damage.
Sometimes, You Need to Repaint or Replace Your Siding
Dudi Shamir, co-founder of Proven House Buyers in Cleveland, Ohio, has experience in cheap and expensive curb appeal upgrades. “For example, I once flipped a house in Cleveland that needed new siding. After replacing it with new vinyl siding, we saw a significant increase in offers on the property,” he said.
If you make all the inexpensive curb appeal upgrades like pressure washing, cleaning up your landscaping, and painting your door, yet your home still looks lackluster, consider repainting or replacing your siding.
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