well the home has been taken care of and maintained over time; for homeowners who are downsizing, this timeframe can mean decades of maintenance (or lack thereof). Of course, how appealing the home looks is important, but beyond aesthetics, the buyer is looking for evidence of wear, tear, and neglect. The next time you drive up to your home, try to think like a buyer. Take a good, hard, objective look at your house from the outside, as if you’re seeing it for the first time. What do you notice? Take note of everything that needs attention. With simple improvements like weeding, trimming, window washing, and decluttering the yard and garage, you can improve the appearance of your home in just a day. Follow the tips I’ve listed below to ensure your home has the curb appeal it needs to attract buyers or even passersby who aren’t even in the market for a new home, but notice yours and fall in love. You might feel overwhelmed, but remember that it takes time and hard work to get a home ready to sell. Anyone can put a house on the market, but not everyone can sell that house quickly or make the profit they want. Give yourself the time you need, and ask for help (or hire help, if it’s within your means) wherever you need it. Drive-by appeal: Remember, treat curb appeal as “drive-by viewing.” Potential buyers can make a split-second decision on whether your home is worth pursuing based on how appealing it looks. Minor issues that you think no one will notice can stick out like a sore thumb. Clean it: Keep your windows and front door washed and in spotless condition. Low-cost investments like power-washing the house and concrete; cleaning gutters; removing clutter, dead flowers/grass/weeds; keeping the grass trimmed; tidying up, sweeping, and power-washing the garage, etc. will all add to your home’s curb appeal.
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