What Does Curb Appeal Mean?

What is curb appeal? The definition is a different concept for everyone, no doubt. First, let's state that it is not a bundle of money you do not have spent to impress someone you do not know. However, it’s purpose is to attract people you do not know. Well, at least that is the purpose when it comes to real estate and the selling of real estate. It also is a standard that may be set by the HOA to maintain the values of the homes in the neighborhood. Those standards may be why they only want certain colors used to paint exteriors or require that the grass not exceed six inches in length, etc.

If you want to have a home with curb appeal, the simplest and easiest way is to take care of the everyday chores. A home stops being attractive as things are left undone. So let's try first to keep it picked up. It's kind of like your kid's room. If one toy remains on the floor, it still looks okay, but a week later if one additional toy remains on the floor every time toys have been played with the room is a mess. 

So let's keep things picked up. If some trash has blown through, do not just ignore that plastic bag stuck to a tree, pick it up. If you see a weed or two in the garden, do not just say "I will take care of that on Saturday" because by then it could be 50 weeds and now it is a big project. If you cannot afford a regular gardener, then you must put mowing the lawn and trimming the bushes and trees into part of your regular schedule. Do not leave everything to the weekend. Everyone wants to do something fun on the weekend and not work. Take 30 minutes every other day to trim a bush, rake some leaves or mow the front yard. Just keeping a front yard trimmed and picked up keeps the "curb appeal" high. 

If you want to take curb appeal up a notch, you can go to your local hardware/garden shop and get a few flowering plants and some inexpensive pots and place those decorative plants in the flowerbed and along the sidewalks and steps. Basic color gives a great new look. Do not forget to keep them watered, especially if your sprinkler system does not reach them.

Finally, paint. If you do not have any leftover paint, take some time to get a little quart of exterior paint that matches the trim and doors. You do not always need to do a complete paint job; sometimes a simple touch up here and there keeps a house looking fresh. If your home is brick or siding, once every three to six months - depending on the weather in your area - wash the house. The home lives outdoors in the rain and wind and sun and collects stuff. That stuff makes a home look dingy and drab. Wash it off. You will think you have a new home. 

Keeping your home's "curb appeal" takes a little time and care. But when you are ready to sell, it is not nearly as much work to get it ready for market. Enjoy your home and treat it well. Invest in its upkeep, and it will treat you well when you are ready to sell.