Improving Curb Appeal: Important Dos and Don’ts for Homeowners

    Your home’s curb appeal can have a major impact on the overall resale value of your property. A well landscaped and manicured exterior can add value to your home, whereas a lack of upkeep can have the opposite effect. Whether you’re looking to sell your home in the near future or not, there are some tips you can keep in mind to maintain excellent curb appeal on your property.

DO Power Wash Annually

    Over time, dirt and debris can accumulate on your home’s exterior, detracting from the appearance of your house overall. Fortunately, removing excess dirt and debris is as easy as having your home power washed annually. This can be done on any exterior material, from brick and siding to stone and everything in between. Power wash as a DIY project, or hire a professional; either way, this little project will work wonders in keeping your home looking its best.

DON’T Forget About Your HOA

    If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association (HOA), make sure you consult your by-laws before you make any major changes to your curb appeal. Some HOAs have strict regulations in place when it comes to colors you can paint your home, fences you can build, and landscaping decisions you can make. The last thing you want is to spend your hard-earned money on a curb appeal improvement, only be told by your HOA that it goes against the neighborhood by-laws.

DO Consider a Privacy Screen

    One thing that many homeowners don’t consider when it comes to curb appeal is the effect leaving trash cans and recycling bins visible can have. Unfortunately, leaving these bins in plain sight tend to detract from curb appeal, but many homeowners don’t have a convenient place to keep garbage and recycling bins hidden.

    If this is a challenge you’re facing, consider adding a privacy screen in your front yard or even along the side of your home. You only need one large enough to store your trash cans behind and keep them hidden from plain view, so this isn’t a costly addition. However, it can make a very positive impact on your home’s curb appeal.

DON’T Go Crazy With Ornaments

    Plastic pink flamingos, lawn gnomes, and other lawn ornaments showcase your quirky personality to the neighborhood; unfortunately, they don’t tend to do much for your curb appeal. While a couple of small lawn ornaments here and there aren’t a big deal, you’ll want to avoid going over-the-top with ornaments that could be considered tacky–especially if you’re looking to sell your home.

If you can’t bear to get rid of your pink lawn flamingos, consider placing them in a backyard garden instead.

DO Paint or Install a New Door

    Is your existing front door looking a little outdated or run down? If so, then it might be time to spend a few hundred dollars on a new exterior door. In fact, doing so will not only improve your curb appeal, but could yield you as much as a 98% return on investment. If you don’t have the cash to buy a new door, you might consider sanding down and re-painting your existing door with a bold color that creates a focal point near the main entryway of your home.

DON’T Underestimate the Importance​

    Finally, be sure not to underestimate the importance of curb appeal when it comes to maintaining your home’s value. A little bit of landscaping and exterior maintenance really does go a long way. If you’re looking for help with financing curb appeal upgrades to your home, contact us to find out more about our loan options.

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