When you are selling your home, you want to make it as attractive as possible. Enhancing the property’s curb appeal — the view visitors have of it from the street — is an essential first step to a successful sale.
Improving a property’s curb appeal means different things in different geographical locations. In cold climates, you have to take care of winter weather issues, such as shoveling snow and removing potentially dangerous ice patches from your front walk. In sunny spots like San Diego, however, you won’t have such worries.
Local experts McT Real Estate Group offer the following tips on what it takes to create an attractive property.
Get Your Lawn Lush and Green
Greet potential buyers to your property with a lush green carpet of lawn. If your grass is showing dead and brown patches, refresh your lawn by raking, watering, and reseeding it. Add fertilizer after seeding and once again a month later to nourish strong root growth. Choosing the right seed can help build a beautiful lawn. For example, Bermuda and fescue grasses are ideal for the San Diego region. If you want to add some color to your garden, it’s also important to choose flowers that do well when it heats up, like alyssum and sunflowers.
Use Landscaping to Enhance Privacy and Hide Unsightly Aspects
Landscaping isn’t just about aesthetic beauty; it also has functional purposes. While San Diego is fairly temperate, air-conditioning is still a must in the summer. Of course, a bulky AC unit is not attractive, but you can use strategically placed shrubbery to hide such unsightly items. Plant fast-growing and dense hedges like Chinese privet to get started.
Landscaping can also be used to enhance your privacy, for example, by creating a barrier between yourself and curious neighbors. Popular options include a privacy screen, a trellis with vines, or a DIY wooden slat wall that you hang flower pots on. You can even create sound barriers by installing tinkling fountains, which are perfect if you have an outdoor patio that people want to enjoy without disturbing neighbors. Homebuyers value privacy so taking these steps is a valuable part of enhancing curb appeal.
Freshen Up Exterior Siding, Porch Railings, and Walkways
Curb appeal isn’t just about your garden. So, spruce up the exterior of the house by giving it a thorough deep clean. In warm and sunny areas, dust and pollen can create a grimy coating on the property’s exterior while sunshine can fade the paint. Use a power washer to make your siding sparkle. You can also clean windows yourself using a DIY vinegar-based solution (which allows for a streak-free finish) and a clean rag. If you have railings along a front step, porch, or walkway, check for peeling paint and apply a fresh coat if needed. The same goes for your mailbox. Also, make for a more welcoming exterior by adding some pops of color: You can coordinate the paint trim on the front door with the paint job on your mailbox, for example, or add a vibrant door decoration.
Lastly, do not forget to give your gutters some TLC. Nothing can turn off prospective buyers quicker than clogged, filthy gutters, as it could suggest there are problems with either your roof or foundation — or maybe both. Although you can clean the gutters yourself, hiring professionals will ensure that all debris is removed carefully and safely. Plus, these experts can also determine whether your gutters need repair or replacement. When budgeting, plan to set aside between $106 and $197 to hire professionals to handle the job, but definitely read reviews and get a few quotes first.
When preparing to sell a home in picturesque San Diego, you have to compete with other houses on the real estate market. Taking the above steps will improve your property’s curb appeal and help you get ahead of the competition. The effort will be worth your while when you finally sell your house.
When it comes to selling and buying, the McT Real Estate Group is prepared to help you get the best price or find the perfect home. Reach and connect with us today!