How to Help Your Sellers Create Fall Curb Appeal

How to Help Your Sellers Create Fall Curb Appeal

 November 5, 2015

Curb appeal is a critical factor when selling a home but also the most difficult aspect to quantify. Buyers love curbs because a gorgeous one makes them envision themselves in the space. A beautiful, well maintained curb creates a positive experience for buyers. As you well know, when buyers love something about a home, you can easily sell it to them without having to make a hard sales pitch.

Strangely, most homeowners spend a lot of time and resources sprucing up their interiors but fail to do up the exteriors. The exterior is just as important as the interior (if not more) and should be given the same attention. Tell your sellers to look at their houses from a buyer’s perspective. This way, knowing which updates to make won’t be hard. Here are a few renovations that create fall curb appeal.

Highlight the Front Door

The focal point of an exterior is the front door. Buyers see it as they drive by, walk by, or visit a home for a showing. Tell home sellers to give their doors a fresh look with paint.  They should also update door hardware to enhance appeal. The great thing about painting the front door is that sellers can choose the color they want. Front doors should not be neutral because their main objective is to draw attention. Homeowners can select paint colors which match their façades or those that contrast with them beautifully. A front door should pop to capture buyers’ attention. Sellers can also hang elegant fall wreaths to add some warmth.

Get Rid of Autumn Debris

Fall is the time when trees shed their leaves. While cleaning regularly is a difficult task, it is something sellers must do if they want to keep their homes in tiptop condition. Leaves can litter the driveway and front yard and also leave stains. Home sellers should sweep their homes regularly to remove leaves and dirt.

Examine the Roof

Tell sellers to inspect their roofs before buyers come. They should check for damaged or missing shingles and replace or repair them. They should also scrutinize the metal flashing around vents and chimneys as it is an area where leaks frequently occur.

Homeowners should also clean their gutters. Fall rains can wash leaves and debris into gutters, enhancing the chances of clogging. Clogged gutters can overflow and wreak havoc on a home’s exterior, its foundation, and its basement. Sellers should make sure that all gutters incline downwards towards the downspouts so water can drain freely. Those with big budgets can install new gutter systems which prevent leaves from entering the gutters.

Update your Lighting and Mailbox

Homeowners should make sure that all exterior lights have new bulbs and that they are working properly. The electrical wiring should be perfectly done as potential buyers may come by in the evening or at night. Besides adding beauty, good lighting can improve the safety and security of a home giving potential buyers peace of mind as they enter or leave a home.

Another important aspect that cannot be overlooked is the mailbox. A mailbox is one of the most visible elements of a home. Whether it is on the porch or in the yard, it must be painted or replaced. The numbers on it should be clear, clean, and neat.

Focus on the Architectural Details

The worst thing home sellers can do is focus on curb appeal to the extent they forget to showcase their homes’ standout features. Arched windows, large stone pillars, and stone walkways should be showcased, not hidden. Sellers should remove any trash and junk piles that draw attention to themselves. Those limited for space can put unused items in rental storage containers.

When it comes to curb appeal, a little goes a long way. Even small and simple updates can give a home a fresh look and feel. Tell your home sellers not to go overboard when creating fall curb appeal.


Ronique Gibson

By Ronique Gibson

Ronique Gibson is an Associate Architect and a LEED Accredited Professional, who has been in the design industry for over 13 years. She started her design blog in 2009 and today it has become a premier destination for helping homeowners with everyday lifestyle challenges. Her readers check in daily for help with their homes, DIY project ideas, recipes, crafts, and inspiration to beautify and enjoy their homes.