Most of us have heard the term “curb appeal.” It refers to how appealing your home is to anyone who’s seeing it from the outside, or the street curb. In general, curb appeal can be defined as “the first impression that a person will have when they see your home from the street.”
However, far too many people believe that the only time that curb appeal carries any real weight is when a home is in the process of being sold.
Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth!
Maintaining your home’s exterior and landscaping can extend the life of the home, improve home value (and your relationship with neighbors), and so much more! Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of curb appeal…
Taking Care of Your Home Deters Criminals
This may sound counterintuitive – but taking care of the outside of your home can actually stop criminals from seeing it as an easy target.
When a home is well-maintained, it shows that the homeowner generally cares enough to protect it from outside forces, including would be burglars. It’s also a god idea to minimize tall tree and shrubs located close to the home. This creates fewer access points and gives criminals fewer places to hide.
Another tip: Put security or alarm system stickers in visible windows to let criminals know that they’re being watched!
Property Value is a Plus!
Your home is likely the biggest purchase you’ll make in your entire life. It’s also one of the few pieces of property you can buy that will grow in value as you care for it!
Your property value can be directly impacted by the exterior of your home. When an appraiser looks at similar homes in your area that are better maintained, it can create a disparaging picture. Even if you have no interest in selling your home, it’s still important to keep the outside in good shape.
Cutting back branches, landscaping, and fixing minor problems immediately can prevent these things from turning into major fixes down the road. Then, when you are ready to sell, you’ll already be prepared.
What Can You do to Improve Curb Appeal?
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to minimize the work that goes into maintaining the exterior of your home:
- Fix minor problems (paint chips, siding issues, rotting deck boards, overgrown branches, etc.) as soon as you notice them.
- Clean the exterior of your home on a regular basis.
- Get into a routine of exterior maintenance (replacing light bulbs, adding mulch, etc.)
- Mow and take care of landscaping every season
When it IS Time to Sell Your Home – You’ll be Ahead of the Game!
Whether you plan on selling your home, taking out a line of credit, or considering a second mortgage, great curb appeal can help!