Budget-Friendly Curb Appeal Ideas For Sellers

By Guest Writer Sally Norton

Image courtesy of Unsplash

Putting a home up for sale can bring a lot of money in hot real estate markets. But simply selling a house and selling it for a much higher price is not the same. Still, adding more value to the property requires some work and time. You'd be surprised how many budget-friendly curb appeal ideas for sellers there are that can work as a time machine on the look of your property. A splash of color here, some scrubbing there, a bit of mowing, and you start to wonder why you are selling such a lovely property in the first place.
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Wash and repair the driveway
Driveway maintenance is the first thing we notice coming to an open house. Poorly kept, dirty driveways will instantly give a bad impression to a potential buyer. Therefore, fixing and pressure-washing them is of utmost importance. Cleaning them will only require your time unless there are cracks that need to be repaired. In such cases, setting up a budget for repaving is an excellent idea since a fresh new driveway could significantly raise your property value.

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​Dirty driveways can leave a bad first impression.

​Spruce up the house exterior
Fixing and refreshing the exterior when putting a home on the market could attract many potential buyers. No matter how well you've maintained your home, there will always be more improvements to make. However, not all fixes are budget-friendly, and how far you want to go will depend on your current financial situation. Of course, inspecting and prioritizing repairs on the house should be your first step. But after that, tackling details, like repainting doors, windows, shutters, refreshing the house number, and cleaning and replacing the light fixtures could transform your home.
Maintain the backyard
When you're done revamping the house exterior, it's time to take a look at the bigger picture. All of the additional buildings on your property need the same exterior treatment. That means sheds, detached garage, or any other outdoor storage could use some care as well. If repainting them is not an option, focus on cleaning and tackling entrance areas using light colors.
 
All the mess and the extra stuff you might have cluttering up your backyard needs to go either in junk or a proper storage unit. It's necessary to tidy up the place first, before decluttering. After you've restored some of your backyard's previous glow, add some cute budget-friendly curb appeal ideas, such as potted plants, new door handles, or attractive solar lights. Adding colors and shine to any place will do wonders.

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Outdoor storage buildings can look amazing with a little care and maintenance.

​Refresh the stairs and leisure areas
Dedicating some love to the porch, patio, balcony, terrace, or other leisure places could mean a great deal to potential home buyers. That's why it is important to inspect, fix and thoroughly scrub all such areas before putting the house on the market. Start with cleaning the stairs and floors, from top to bottom. See if the wooden surfaces need repairing, polishing, or painting. Of course, tiles and stone floors will only need a deep scrubbing, so make sure to remove all the dirt from the gouts and uneven surfaces.
 
Naturally, clean leisure and around-the-house areas won't do much if empty. Even though depersonalizing a home for a sale is smart, adding some tastefully staged outdoor furniture to porches and patios can tickle the buyer's imagination. You can always borrow some items from your friends or relatives or simply refresh your benches, tables, and chairs using spray paint.

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You don't need to buy new outdoor furniture for staging your yard. A little bit of spray paint
and a couple of colorful pillows will do just fine.

​Keep the lawn in top condition
Lawn maintenance can tell a lot about a home and its homeowner. It is a way of knowing how much love and care someone puts into their home. No matter how nice the home exterior is, poorly kept lawns could be a turn-off for anyone. That's why simple lawn maintenance and landscaping tips can draw a lot of looks.
 
The grass patches and overgrown bushes might need some tending, especially in shady areas around the house. If you have some trees on your property, check if they need trimming and mulching. You'd be surprised how a new layer of mulch and some decorative rocks could energize the landscape appeal.
 
When picking plants and flowers to decorate the front landscape, choose colorful low-maintenance kinds. It's always wise to go with native plants, especially if your home is in a tropical area, because such plants are more resilient and self-sustainable in harsh climates. Go for perennial flowers that won't cost much but still provide the vibe you want to achieve. But be careful not to overdo it with the color palette. Mixing three colors while repeating the pattern is the recipe for a successful, visually pleasing front yard.

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Budget-friendly curb appeal ideas will require a bit of your time and creativity.

Revamp the entrances
Last but not least, when it comes to exterior improvements, is revamping the gates, fence, and mailbox. The treatment of the fence will depend on the material. Stone ones would benefit from a simple scrub, while wooden and metal fences might need some repainting. The same goes for the gates and mailbox. Even though these details might seem irrelevant to you, buyers will look at everything and take a peek everywhere because they are in search of a dream home. Thus, who can blame them for being curious and picky?
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Conclusion
Following budget-friendly curb appeal ideas for sellers, you will be able to make the most of your home. Even the smallest changes will mean a lot, but to be sure you're on the right path, ask for a second opinion. Your neighbors, family, or even social media friends could help you with objective tips regarding the things that stand out or the improvements that make the place even better. That way, you can be sure you will reach a broader home buyer "audience".

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Sally Norton is a freelance copywriter based out of Miami, with a flare for writing optimized articles. Her experience is focused on moving, travel, real estate and overall guides to help people with some challenging projects and endeavors. In her spare time, Sally enjoys yoga and walks with her dogs - Mane & Rex.