Let’s talk curb appeal…
Why curb appeal is SO important.
Let's talk about curb appeal. Why is it so important?
A short story...
Let's just say a young couple purchases a home in a super desirable location. They afforded that home because it needed some work. Both inside and out. Liveable but dated and forgotten about.
Little by little they start plugging away at some things on weekends.
Painted the front door, did some minor landscaping, planted a few perennials and two blueberry bushes.
By the way, perennials, although upfront, are more costly. Pay for themselves because they come back every year.
Now, this couple knew that this was not going to be their forever home. They had a 5 year plan to be there at maximum.
The following Summer they re-do the sidewalk stamping and staining it uniquely. Also, add new shutters and pave the driveway.
A new young couple knowing they love this area, drive by often seeing the small changes and think one day this can be them. They continue to work hard, save and drive by weekly. After all, their close friends recently moved down the street from this home a month ago. How cool would it be to be able to walk to eachothers house?
Aside from the outside they were able to make some nice small changes inside during the Winter months. They painted the cabinets, added new knobs and pulls and installed some new light fixtures.
The third Summer rolls around and they decide to add window boxes with draping greenery and bright crisp white flowers. They have a custom address sign made and get a new roof. They are starting to want to have a little more space to start a family and have more yard but they just aren't quite ready yet. Maybe, next Summer...
Over the Fall and Winter months they do a little more work in the house and start saving a bit more.
Spring rolls around and they feel like they might be getting closer...
Year 4, they decide they want to list. They are ready. They buy some beautiful planters and plant some bright flowers to draw people in. They list. Little do they know they don't need to draw anyone in because someone has already fallen in love with this place (years ago).
That same couple has never stopped eyeing this place up or driving by and watching the process.
A FOR SALE sign goes up and they nearly lose their minds at what they see.
They have worked so hard, it's time. They go through the entire process. It is their turn. They are the new home owners of this beautiful little ranch with quite frankly the best curb appeal on the block.
You are probably wondering why I used a scenario as opposed to just creating a list of why curb appeal is so important. I wanted to create a real life story line with a realistic time frame of how things can play out.
Now not every case is such, some people may never leave their first home they purchase. Some may sell sooner or years further down the line.
Aside from that people make connections to things they can see. They never saw the inside of the home but already had an emotional connection with it based on the outside charm as well as seeing the home change over a few years time. They saw what could be as opposed to what is because they witnessed the journey of its transformation. As well as placing themselves in the role of homeowners prematurely giving them a goal to aim after.
Realtor Courtney Anderson- states, "Curb appeal is important for one main reason: It's the buyers first impression. We make decisions super quick. I think the stat is like 7 seconds and we have established an opinion about something. If a home looks like it's been well maintained and bright and inviting from the first moment we see it, they have a better chance of assuming the rest of the house is also maintained too."
Curb appeal inspires others to make changes too. Creating a chain-like reaction of friendly competition creating streets, roads, towns and plans across the U.S. to make the places we dwell and call home beautiful.