7 Upgrades that will improve your home's kerb appeal dramatically

We all know that first impressions are lasting impressions and that it is almost impossible to change a person's mind if they look at a property and instantly have a poor first impression. That is not something you want to have happen if you are looking to sell your home.

Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett, encourages sellers to first consider if the market conditions are favourable and secondly, take some time to decide what the next move will be once the home is sold.

"The property market works in cycles. At times, the market will favour buyers and at other times, the market will favour sellers. It all depends on the economic environment and conditions that surround the local housing market. It is important to remember that while there is a market trend throughout the country, there will also be certain areas that buck the trend due to specific, circumstances that influence that particular area," Goslett explains.

Luckily, there are a few simple maintenance tasks that will boost your home's kerb appeal and help prevent first impression issues from occurring while your property is up for sale.

1. Make a statement with the front door

Having a door that stands out from the rest of the house is a definite wow factor. Adding a punch of colour to your door is a quick, easy and inexpensive way to revamp a tired-looking entry. A bold, colourful door also sets your house apart from the rest and makes it easy to find, which is a bonus. If guests can find your home easily, it's already a memorable experience, says chief executive of Greeff Christie's International Real Estate, Mike Greeff.

People often pick colours for their front door that they wouldn't pick for their interior walls and it's where many homeowners feel they have a little more freedom to "go wilder with colour".

If you need some inspiration, Greeff says here are a few colour guidelines:

Bright and bold: If you want to have a statement front door, choose vibrant colours like pink, turquoise, red or yellow. These colours create a stunning entrance to your home and will even brighten up the greyest of days.

Neutrals and greys: If you're not feeling quite that adventurous and would prefer to play things safe then opt for your favourite variation of grey, black or green. These colours albeit subtle, are classic, sophisticated and timeless.

2. Highlight the exterior

When shopping for a property, unless specifically looking for a fixer-upper, buyers want a home they can be proud of and kerb appeal will ensure that, regardless of whether the wall of your house is stone, cladding or brick, touching them up will increase your chance of making a sale, as research shows that properties with outdated exteriors are more difficult to sell.

If the exterior of your house is not in good condition as is, consider a complete, repainting, re-rendering or re-cladding. While it will cost money, it will also help you move the property up in the market.

3. Revamp or replace windows

If you are looking to invest in home improvements or renovations to increase its price tag, experts recommend upgrading your windows, as these are some of the first things a prospective buyer will notice when viewing your home.

Energy-efficient windows are topping the list of requirements that buyers are looking for these days and the investment will pay off in the end. If an upgrade isn't an option, then some maintenance will cost little and add value.

4. Spruce up pathways and driveways

Any paths or driveway must be in good condition to improve a home's kerb appeal. A concrete driveway that is cracked and broken up is not going to add to first impressions and spending a bit to rip out and replace is worth the cost.

If your paths and driveway are in good condition, using a high-power washer or making necessary repairs will give the entrance the rejuvenated look it needs. This is also one of the cheapest and fastest ways to improve how the prospective buyer perceives your home.

While you are making necessary repairs to a driveway, consider giving the garage door a makeover if it needs attention. Wooden garage doors are easily sanded down and given a new treatment of exterior sealer while painted doors can be cleaned with a high-pressure washer.

5. Give your lawn a short back and sides

A garden that is well cared for will inspire confidence in buyers that the rest of the property has been treated similarly. If buyers see a lawn that is poorly maintained, buyers will likely be highly suspicious of how well you have kept the rest of the house. Giving your front garden a makeover is neither difficult nor expensive.

In the absence of any kind of garden at the front of the property, hiring a professional landscape architect to revamp your front lawn will not do your chances of increasing the value of your home any harm. You want your property to outshine others and research shows that a front garden offers massive influence. A well-maintained property can even add up to 20% to the house overall value.

6. Ditch the dustbin

If your dustbin area is in plain sight, there are few things less appealing to home buyers than the sight of dirty or potentially rodent-infested garbage bins. Investing a few bucks in disguising these necessary but unsightly curb accessories will add value to your home. Think about setting up some fencing around your wheelie bins as this will also protect them from unwanted attention.

7. Maintenance matters

Don't put off any maintenance work that needs to be done, such as a gate hanging off its hinges, fences that are damaged or gutters hanging by a string. Take some time to do some maintenance work around your home, and it will quickly pay dividends.

There are plenty of other ways to increase the kerb appeal of a home and to ensure first impressions that count. Prospective buyers can instantly be turned off your house because it needs a few simple repairs or some affordable upgrades. This is inevitably going to take time and effort but the smart move is to invest a little of each now, then just sit back and reap the rewards later.

(Source: HomeDzine)