Since first impressions are everything in Orlando real estate, it is vitally important to spend time and money to ensure your home has the best curb appeal. This is very important for two reasons:
First of all, when potential buyers are looking at central Florida houses on the Internet, the picture they will see first is the one of your exterior of the home. Within a few seconds, buyers will be making decisions about your home based on that one picture. Even though your home may have a beautiful interior, if the exterior doesn't show well, the buyers won't even look at the additional pictures and may just move onto the net property.
Secondly, according to the National Association of Realtors, over 63% of potential buyers will do a drive by a property prior to scheduling a showing with their agent. The exterior of the house will serve as a snapshot to potential buyers of what's inside of the property; because of this, you want to make sure that you have great curb appeal that will entice them to want to come inside.
Here are the Top 5 Things You Can Do To Improve Your Curb Appeal:
1. Wash the exterior of the house: Soap, water or even a pressure washer can easily clean the outside of your home. Also, if the exterior paint is old and faded, a fresh paint job may cost you a couple of thousand dollars, but it could add $10,000-$15,000 more to the sales price for some homes.
2. Maintain a well-manicured lawn: Cut back trees and bushes so that the exterior of the house can be seen. Add fresh flowers to the flower beds, make sure the yard is always cut, and plant some flowers to add color to the house. You could even add a flower pot by the front door.
3. Clean the roof shingles or tiles on the roof so they show well: Since replacing a roof can be very costly, it is important to have the roof look as good as possible so buyers don't cross your home off their list, thinking your home is in need of a new roof.
4. Clean the driveway & walkway: If needed, pressure wash the driveway, sidewalk, and walkway to the front door.
5. Highlight your front door: One of the most important things you can do is make sure that the front door to your home shows well. The front door is the first thing that a potential buyer will see and touch prior to entering the house. How it looks and feels will resonate with them as they go through the house. If the door handle is tarnished or old, upgrade it. If the front door needs some fresh paint, paint it. You want their first impression of the house to be positive and not one of what else they need to do prior to moving into the house.
Lastly and most importantly, it is always a good idea to partner yourself up with an experienced and knowledgeable Orlando REALTOR who can recommend you things that you would need to do to improve your home's curb appeal. If you don't, it could ultimately cost you thousands of dollars in the long run.
