Always keep in mind that even if the interior of your home is kept up to date on repairs, has perfect plumbing and electrical work, and is decorated impeccably, the exterior and curb appeal of your home will have a big impact on a buyer’s decision within the first minute or two. If that impact is negative, all those interior improvements won’t mean a thing when the buyer thinks the house is a dump and walks away. HAVE A WELCOMING WALKWAY The pathway to your front door serves as an ambassador for your home, so why not make it beautiful and pleasant to look at? Your walkway serves as the literal path to your home, and ensuring that it’s just as beautiful as the rest of your home, both inside and outside, will definitely gain you some points with buyers. The pathway, landing, and front door should all blend together to provide an appealing journey from your street or driveway up to your house. If your home’s style is Georgian, Greek Revival, or Colonial, a straight path that goes from the sidewalk straight to your door is recommended. With a straight path, you can avoid a mass of boring concrete by decorating the lane with landscaping, such as flower pots or beds. You have a better opportunity for charming buyers if you add carefully placed boulders, interesting trees, plant groupings in vibrant colors, or even a fountain. If you’re looking for something that’s more unique, a wood walkway will do the trick. Cedar, redwood, cypress, and teak are all weather-resistant woods that are absolutely perfect for creating a beautiful walkway, and are easy to work with. For a wooden walkway, you will also need pea gravel or stone to use as a base. Wooden walkways have minimal upkeep, as you only need to stain and seal once every year, but make sure not to forget to do that or they’ll rapidly weather. Whatever you decide to do with your walkway, always ensure that there is no overgrowth anywhere, especially around the concrete or wood itself. Keep in mind that incorporating too much decoration will make your walkway look cluttered and disorganized, so remember to keep a decent balance, keep it elegant, and don’t go overboard.
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