Homes Sell Faster With Proper Curb Appeal
How great does your property show from the street? If you ask many real estate agents they will say that purchasers frequently will not even exit the car if the first image is not a good one. This is known as ‘curb appeal’ and it can be the single most important piece of marketing a home for sale so it is necessary to invest a little time and money to get it right. Even in a down markets such as Toronto your property may still be up against many other Toronto real estate listings so you need for every advantage.
First off ensure the front yard is well maintained. The grass should be manicured, the leaves raked, the drive and sidewalk swept and your hedges are nicely trimmed. In and around your flowers can begin looking a drab, but adding decorative pebbles or mulch will give the space a fresh look.
Having a skinny or weed filled walkway can detract from your property’s overall look. Having a wide path gives the impression that the property is larger than it really is and is more welcoming. A quick method to tell if your walk is wide enough is if 2 adults can walk side by side without bumping.
A less expensive recourse to a new walkway is to utilize flag stones, bricks or patio stones arranged in an appealing pattern. Use something that will not detract from your existing walkway and your property’s exterior. Start by removing the grass on either side of the walk and lay a line of your selected material along each side. You can fill in the space using pebbles, ordinary gravel or gardening mulch. For and even more impact you can line you pathway with an inexpensive set of solar lights.
Prune back big and overpowering shrubs so that they do not block your windows or crowd your house. You may wish to lengthen or narrow a planting bed at the front of the house and if if you can make it swoop in a curve around the side. And remember that after planting of your new flowers that you will should to add a good 2 to three inches of mulch.
Because of the tough winter weather many Toronto homes for sale happen in the spring and summer so you will want to be prepared for similar high periods where you live. You can add a dash of color to your front entrance by placing potted plants on either side of the door. Glazed or terra cotta pots can add a bit of class to your property’s exterior. If your front is big enough, you may wish combine several pots to create a mini garden.
Lastly, you want to ensure that the exterior of the property is in good condition. Put a fresh coat of paint or wash the siding, fix any brick or stone work and paint the window trim if needed. The front door should also be clean and fresh coat of paint]. It should pivot easily on its hinges and the knob and lock should for sturdy and function well. Make sure your house is well lit for evening showings.
Remember that first impressions are judged, especially in the eyes of a perspective buyer. From the minute they see the property they should already start to picture themselves in it and with any luck want to buy it.
