Have you underestimated the impact of your curb appeal on your home’s market value? The National Association of Realtors (NAR) Has done research on this, and their research shows that homes that have good-looking curbs can see an increase of up to 7% in their sale price.
Essentially, the curb is one of the first things a buyer would see, and it adds or subtracts to the first impression of your home. In this article, we will look at some ordinary blenders that people make that could be reducing their homes or aesthetic charm because of their curb view.
1. Overgrown Landscaping
On the one hand having a lush yard, which show a well cared for home, but on the other hand, having a curb that is too overgrown and left on checked could have the opposite effect. Even more so if the bushes, grass or trees Or obscuring details in the architecture of your home, such as an overgo bush in front of a window.
The university of Florida’s Department of Environmental Horticulture did a study in 2023 Which reflects that compared to while maintained yards, houses with overgrown landscaping had sold for 15% less. This is because the bushes and the trees being left unchecked signals to the buyer that this house may have been neglected and not well maintained.
2. Minimalist landscaping
Under contrary to overgrown yard, we can look at minimalist landscaping approaches, which is quite popular for modern designed houses. The maintenance cost as well as water usage is reduced in this approach, but it can also give an empty and stark look to your yard. This is also not favorable As it could give your house, a cold and even abandoned feeling.
Some might even say that a bear or minimalistic style yard is a red flag for buyers. Zillow the survey in 2022 where they found that homes with a more minimalistic approach to landscaping initially received less interest at showings.
3. Perils of Unique Exterior Paint Colors
Using unique colors to paint the exterior of your house may have good intentions where you wish to express individuality. However, this approach might not work out as well as you would hope to the day you want to sell your house. Realtor.com released a report in 2024 that stated that atypical house colors, such as bright purples, took longer to be sold in the market.
Well, you might have painted your house this color because you wanted your house to stand out, buyers might want colors that actually blend in more harmoniously with the rest of the neighborhood. The color your house has painted outside is one of the factors that contribute to the first impression and it could ruin your sale before the buyer even stepped into your house.
4. Neglected Entryway Details
This is the gateway to your home and another factor that contributes to the first impression for the buyer. Viewing this entryway from the buyers perspective is looking at it with a difference angle. A buyer might look at small details that you have overlooked such as rusted hardware or chipped paint on the door. To the buyer, the small details signal subconsciously that the house is being neglected.
So good advice would be to make sure that your porch as well let and clean in every nook and cranny. You can make use of a welcoming doormat or even some seasonal plants which serves as an invite for buyers feel welcomed.
5. Clutter
When the holidays roll around, we all love to deck out our house and many different bits and bobs. Yet, when you are in the market to sell, this might come across as over-decorating. You can personalize the exterior of your home to show that your house has a charm to it. Just be careful not to overdo it.
The journal of environmental psychology published a study in 2024, which stated that if the outdoor space of the house seems cluttered with overly decorated entrances, it reduces the home value by up to 6%. This could be due to something called the ‘overwhelm effect’ where the disorganization of over decorating makes the buyer feel overwhelmed.
6. Roof and Structural Curb appeal
So we have covered that homeowners should look at the type of way they landscape as well as what they paint their house, but have you ever thought about how the roof and other structural elements of your house come across to buyers? These elements are just as important as damaged, aging or heavily stained roofs, also deter buyers because they are expensive to repair.
While living there, if you have not prioritized repairing the roof or the structural components of your curb, it might also signal neglect. Buyers do not want to take up a lot of maintenance work as it is extra money out of their pockets. This challenges the notion that the appeal of your house is not just about the aesthetics but also about the maintenance history of the house.
Fussiness With Architectural Features
Architectural features for example of fireplace add charm to your home, but if they are not updated or modernized, it could be seen as a double-edged sword. On the one, and if you for example, had painted over exposed brick to make it look more slick, it might alienate buyers who are looking for original craftsmanship and the other way around.
This is what we call a ‘fireplace paradox’, which means that not all updates to your home or a good ideas that will pay off. Houzz did a survey in 2022 and found that almost 45% of buyers actually prefer original architectural features as they make them more authentic and perceived to be of higher quality.
Misjudging the ROI of Luxury Additions
The most prominent example of a luxury amenity that could boost the appeal of your home could be a pool, but that is not always the case. There are many benefits to having a pool, but some studies have shown that in the event of you trying to resell your house. Some buyers might be deterred.
On average homes with pools take longer to sell because buyers are skeptical about the fact that pools have high maintenance costs, safety concerns, as well as it being a liability that could increase your insurance premiums. Making a big decision such as adding a pool as an addition to your home should be carefully thought out.
The Neighborhood Effect
Always keep in mind that your curb is not the only one on the block, and the condition of your neighbor’s house also plays into the first impression of buyers. If your neighborhood is well maintained, it signals to the buyer that this is a community they would like to be a part of. Active community upkeep programs are a big part of this agenda.
Look at it from the perspective of the buyer if the community the house is in, is neglected such as the streets are cluttered or public spaces are poorly maintained, this might deter buyers as well. Sellers should always consider the fact that they are part of a community and that neighborhood trends could affect the price of their home.
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