Three ways to boost your home's value with exterior improvements

From giving the place a new lick of paint to clearing away those sentimental knick-knacks and even burning a scented candle before viewings, there is nothing you won’t do to give your home the best chance at selling. But are you selling your home short by not making some essential improvements? We know you have worked hard on the inside, but the facade of your home could be holding buyers back from making that all-important offer.

While we all know the old saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”, the first impression of your home does matter a lot. Those viewing your home can draw some pretty dire conclusions if the facade does not measure up to what they find within. They won’t be able to see themselves living there.

So, how can you give your home the best opportunity to sell rather than lingering on the market? We have three top tips for how to improve the exterior of your home - give this “book” the cover it deserves so people want to write their story within the walls!

1. A coat of paint

If you haven’t repainted the exterior of your house for a while, you may want to take a moment to examine it. Is the paint cracked and peeling, or just discoloured? Is there dirt creeping up from storms and general wear and tear?

How your home looks is what initially draws buyers in to investigate further, so if your outside looks drab and old, they are unlikely to want to explore inside.

A new coat of paint can help to create a better aesthetic for your home, matching the outside to the inside (where you have already done so much hard work). This easy improvement might seem like a big outgoing, but it could result in a better price for your home. While you might be tempted to go for an eye-catching or on-trend colour, the best idea is to choose a neutral shade that can appeal to a wider variety of buyers. You never know who might want to live in your home!

In some cases, repainting the entire house might not be an option. In this instance, you should at least clean the exterior, and give the windows and door a fresh coat. Ensure that the exterior of your house is free from dirt and dust - even this can create a fresher look that can attract people to your home.

2. Garden update

Are you lucky enough to have outdoor space? A garden is often a priority for buyers who want space to grow their own flowers, somewhere to sit out in the summer weather, a lovely space for their children to run around, or just a pleasant vista to look out over. In fact, a garden can even elevate your property price quite significantly.

Of course, you may not be in a position to do a full update of your garden, but begin with the basics. You should ensure that your lawn is well mowed and that any errant weeds have been removed.

If you are thinking about selling in the future, take the opportunity to plant some beautiful blooms now, as they will improve the overall appearance of your home. Don’t go overboard with this - a few well-placed plants and trees in a flawless garden can create an image of what buyers’ can look forward to if they come to live in this space.

You should ensure that any existing plants are well pruned, with no overhanging branches. Any plants that are impacting the facade itself should be removed, as they will give the impression that work will need to be done.

A beautiful, tranquil garden can make even the most urban environment feel like an oasis of calm, so take some time to tidy up your garden and you could be reaping the rewards when it comes to viewing time.

3. The facade

Step outside. How does the facade of your house seem to you? Really take a look at it. Do you notice anything? Sometimes, when we have been living in a home for many years, we stop seeing certain aspects of it. Mainly the fact that a house simply being lived in and ageing creates quite a bit of wear and tear on the property.

You live a busy life and don’t have time to attend to that rickety old gate with the rust on it, the washing line you keep meaning to take in, and the scratched and cracked paintwork. After all, you spend most of your time indoors.

However, when it comes time to sell your property, you might be putting off potential buyers. If you have a worn-out welcome mat or weeds on your pathway, these can create a rundown appearance that might give those viewing the property an idea that the house itself is not well maintained.

Fixing these small issues with your home might not cost you very much time or money, but this can improve the resale value of your home and result in a faster sale.

So make it a weekend task to improve the facade of your home. This can include oiling or replacing old gates, ensuring your front door is painted and opens smoothly, and easing signs of weather damage. Make sure that the numbers of your house are clear and look new - this will encourage the idea that your entire home has been well-loved and well taken care of.

With these three top tips, you can improve the outer appearance of your home and give it the best chance of finding a new owner. Are you looking to sell your home in Brisbane and aren’t sure where to start? Get in touch with Sparrow Real Estate. We can help you with everything from advice on how to prepare your home for sale to marketing the property, holding viewings, and the final sale. Let us know how we can best support you today!