Thursday, February 9, 2012

Ten Ways to Enhance Your Brantford, ON Home’s Curb Appeal!

You know the feeling: you are walking through your neighborhood, and you pass a home that just grabs your attention. Something about its exterior makes you want to see what the interior looks like. This scenario is something that every Brantford home seller wants to happen as people pass their home; because that means that the buyers are intrigued by what they see on the outside. The event that I have just described refers to what we in the Brantford real estate industry call “curb appeal”, or how much your home allures buyers from the outside. This is something that every Brantford real estate agent encourages their sellers to pay attention to when they go to put their home on the market.

Despite what you may think, obtaining a strong sense of curb appeal doesn’t require too much money or renovation. You can stay budget-friendly and do mild preparation while still achieving an alluring exterior. These ten home enhancements will take your exterior to another level without breaking the bank.

1. Wash your home’s front, side and windows. It sounds extreme, but taking the time to clean your home will make all the difference to a Brantford home buyer. A dirty home exterior gives the impression that your home is run-down and neglected. This will do wonders for the impression your home gives buyers at first glance.

2. Fix broken concrete walkways. People notice if there are large cracks in the walkway as they approach your home. Not only is this visually unsettling, but it’s also something that doesn’t usually go over well with most home inspectors. This will require some DIY work or money to fix, but it is well-worth it to see your driveway and front walkway looking brand new!

3. Your front door makes a difference.
A front door that has peeling paint or a worn-down color can be a deterrent. It’s one of the first things that people see when they approach your home. Freshen up the paint with a bright color. Replace any ripped or broken screen doors, as well. The better your front door looks, the better the buyer response will be.

4. How’s your exterior lighting?
People often overlook exterior lighting, as most buyers will see a home during the day. It’s still a good idea, however, to replace old or outdated light fixtures with something new in order to give your home a bit of a facelift. It will make buyers appreciate the home that much more as they take a closer look at it.

5. Fix loose railings.
Tighten or fix any loose railings on your front deck or porch. It will contribute to your home’s overall appearance.

6. Touch up your driveway with some paint.
Yes, you read that correctly! Applying a top sealer coating to your driveway will make the asphalt look as good as new! Just make sure that you sweep up the driveway before in order to grab any dirt before you start painting.

7. Clean out your eavestroughs. Once again, this is something that gets overlooked a lot of the time, but this will contribute to the overall effect of your home. When your eavestroughs are old and dilapidated, they often give your home’s exterior a run-down, neglected look. You may have to replace these altogether, but it would be well-worth the cost. Don’t neglect this part of your curb appeal!

8. Repair roof shingles. Not only will it make your home look like it’s been a bit neglected if you leave the roof unrepaired, but it will also turn several buyers off. Roof repairs are costly, and many buyers want to make sure that there are absolutely no issues with the roof when they start looking at a home for the first time. If you haven’t addressed this aspect of your home, and you need to, now is the time to start! It will avoid hassles and headaches down the line.

9. Do you have loose wires? Keep an eye out for them! Over the course of several years, the wires hooking up your TV, telephone and cable can become loose, and that could stand out if the wires run along the exterior of the house. Use your discretion and ensure that any issues with the wiring are taken care of before you start showing the house.

10. Pay attention to landscaping.
An overgrown yard and neglected trees and shrubs will not create the inviting, alluring look that you’re going for. Take the time to do a little landscaping and clean up the greenery ahead of time, and you’ll find that it will make a huge difference to your curb appeal.

As a Brantford real estate agent, I always advise my sellers to take some time before showing their house and set it aside for exterior enhancement. Curb appeal is a powerful tool for getting buyers to go inside a house. The more traffic you get, the more likely it is that your Brantford, ON home will sell sooner. Despite the work it might take, these enhancements don’t need to be expensive. You can do them yourself and stick to your budget.

If you have any questions about how to best prepare your Brantford, ON home for sale, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’ll give you some tips and advice about how to get your curb appeal where it needs to be. I hope to hear from you soon. 



Wally Dufrat | Sales Representative
RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc. Brokerage
515 Park Road North | Brantford, ON N3R 7K8
Direct:  (519) 752-5400 & (877) 759-5900 | Cell: (519) 761-7400 | Fax: 519-752-3400

Before You Buy or Sell Your Next Home, Visit My Websites at:
www.BrantofordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!
 

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