You only get one chance to make a first impression – and that’s why curb appeal is so important when you are preparing to sell a house.
Prospective buyers have been known to drive to a home, take one look and keep driving, having convinced themselves in a microsecond that this is not the property for them.
Given that it costs good marketing dollars to attract buyers, this scenario is a disaster that would not happen on my watch. As your local agent, I will always work with you to ensure we achieve a great first impression.
We focus initially on the exterior of the home, which might mean a front door that’s not weathered, a doorbell that works or a quick re-paint.
The work might not finish there. The front garden must look sharp with lawns in good order, hedges trimmed and any ivy neatly cutback. Anything less risks buyers believing the house falls below an acceptable standard – and they’ve not even stepped inside yet.
Landscaping has the potential to add value to your home, as in my experience suggests it pulls in buyers and allows them to assess the property after a favorable impression from the sidewalk.
Here are seven tips to help you get your front garden into great shape to create a great first impression:
- If you do one thing, pretty-up the path to your front door. The pavers should be flat, straight and stable. If you have concrete, fix the cracks. Consider putting a small hedge on either side to soften the edges and accentuate the route to the entrance.
- Embrace the modern mood for large plants in island beds and curved beds around the house.
- Improve the privacy with screening hedges and trees that give prospective buyers a feeling of sanctuary from the hurly-burly of everyday life. Don’t be afraid to add one or two large trees if there is room. Fruit trees are also popular.
- Choose plants to complement the architectural style of your home. This usually means adding shrubs and beds of blooming cottage-style flowers, or shrubs that work well for your climate, not installing a replica of a fountain you once saw in Vegas!
- If the lawn is dishevelled, it will be easy to repair. Buy top soil, some rolls of grass and water-in well. Be sure to mow regularly and catch the clippings so you don’t walk them through the house.
- Make sure your garden is low maintenance. Add an irrigation system and timer – so simple to do – so buyers without green thumbs don’t recoil at the idea that your garden requires a lot of work. Or, you can select drought-tolerant plants, such as cacti in beds of pretty white stones, to minimize the workload.
- Lighting makes a dramatic impact and can highlight the hero plants and architectural features of the exterior. Of course, buyers won’t see it during the day so, as your agent, I’ll take some fantastic photography of your property after dark. It will be spectacular!