Curb Appeal & Exterior Staging
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here are many ways for a prospective buyer to make the decision to view your home. They may see an ad in the paper or a real estate magazine, look at a board hanging in an office window, or see a listing on the Internet. If they like what they see and read, then perhaps they drive by your place—and that's where curb appeal comes in. You'll never get them inside to see the rest of what your home has to offer if they're turned off by what they see of your property from the curb. Here are five cost-effective areas to take a closer look at and to invest a little time and money in to boost your property's curb appeal and overall exterior appearance. These items won't break the bank, and have a reasonable return on investment—sometimes from 100- 200%. They add more value to your home, and therefore to its final selling price.
Front Lawn It's simple: keep it looking neat and well-tended. •
If the lawn is in more desperate shape, consider re-sodding it. The cost may vary with a 100-200% likely return on investment, this is a wise choice.
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In the fall, be sure to rake leaves from your lawn and flower beds on a regular basis.
Front Entry Your goal: make the entrance to your home a welcoming experience. •
Re-paint the front door in a colour that accents your house as a whole. Add colourful pots of flowers around the entryway.
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If you have an expansive front porch, consider adding some tasteful patio furniture such as a small table and a couple of chairs.
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Clean and remove cobwebs from the light fixtures, and make sure that they are all in working order. Update the fixtures if they are out-of-date; change them to match the rest of the entryway hardware if you've changed the overall entryway decor.
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Make sure all windows are sparkling clean.
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Clean out the eaves-troughs.