Now that spring is here, it's time to start all the yard and house work that was put off over the winter. Whether or not you are planning to sell your house, it's always good to enhance the curb appeal of your home because the exterior of the house shows a lot about the home's owner and can be just as important to potential buyers as the interior.
"How your home looks from the outside can have significant influence on potential buyers' perception of its value. Enhancing your home's curb appeal not only upgrades the value of your home, but it also shows that you, the homeowner, have pride of ownership by keeping your home well-maintained, upgraded and landscaped," says Karen Trolan, president of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®.
Here are some tips from the National Association of REALTORS® to enhance your home's curb appeal and to help you get the best possible price should you decide to sell your home:
1. Clean exterior walls and windows.
Clean your outer walls with soapy water and remove stubborn stains. Wash your windows inside and out.
2. Clean window screens.
Remove all window screens and spray them clean with a garden hose.
3. Apply a fresh coat of paint.
If your house needs a face-lift, apply a new coat of paint, but choose exterior colors wisely. If your home is a very different color from the other homes in your neighborhood it could be an eye soar and have a negative effect on a prospective buyer's perception of your home.
4. Keep the grass green and tidy.
Your front yard creates your home's first impression to prospective buyers. Keep your lawn green and clean. Keep trees and shrubs trimmed and flower beds well-tended. Remove clutter like oversized ornaments, toys and garden tools. Keep trash bins out of sight.
5. Clean and repair the roof, gutters and downspouts.
Inspect your roof, gutters and downspouts regularly. Sometimes, all it takes is a good cleaning or some minor repairs, like replacing missing shingles to extend the life of your roof. Don't procrastinate. Take care of a problem right away because it will cost you more if you have to do major maintenance work later.
"Pride of ownership is not necessarily measured by the amount of money you put into your home. You can still show how proud you are of your home by investing time and effort in doing basic chores that don't cost a lot of money. Knowing that a homeowner has done their very best in taking great care in maintaining their home says a lot about the people who live in the home and means a lot to a potential home buyer," adds Trolan.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.