As the old saying goes, you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. How many houses have put you been put off viewing simply because you didn’t like the look of the house from the outside? Curb-appeal is one of the most important factors when it comes to selling your home, and should be one of the first things you think about before getting the ‘For Sale’ sign up or getting photographs taken. In order to get people through the door, you need to make sure the ‘exterior shot’ of your home is the best it can be. (And don’t be tempted to Photoshop your images, the real-life exterior must be the same as the online photo that potential buyers have seen, or they’ll be disappointed.)
What can you do to maximise your curb-appeal?
Your front door is one of the first things people see up-close when they visit your home, so why not give it a bit of a spruce-up? If it’s wooden, give it a fresh lick of paint. If it’s plastic, a good clean can make a world of difference. It’s also worth polishing any metal knockers or letterboxes.
Pressure-wash any driveways or patios that are looking a bit dirty. The difference that this can make to the curb-appeal is astonishing, especially if it’s been a few years since it was last cleaned.
De-weed any areas that have got out-of control, and trim any hedges or trees that are over-grown. It’s good to get all your boundaries looking as neat and tidy as possible. Plants and flowers also make a huge difference to the exterior of a property and are available to buy ready-beautiful in pots from garden centres!
Add a splash of colour with some potted flowers, or choose some pretty plants for your borders and flowerbeds. Try to choose colourful flowers that complement the rest of the house or front door for a really polished finish.
Why not add big and bold house numbers to the front door? In keeping with your house style, choose house numbers which give an early impression, such as hand-painted tiles for a cottage, old iron numbers for an old house, or a clean font for a modern house.
Our tips for taking photos from the exterior
- Sunlight is important, so try to take your photos in good weather, and even better, get some blue sky in!
- Clean your windows
- Cut the grass
- You might want to consider moving your car out of the driveway to give a better impression of the space
