Putting your home on the market can be a stressful time. Not only do you want the inside of your home to be presentable but you want the outside of your home to attract home buyers instantly. Typically, the first picture a home buyer will see is the front of the home. Here are some easy, low cost tips to help increase your curb appeal before putting your home up for sale.
Prune overgrown shrubs
Many beautiful shrubs can look unsightly if over time, they have become overgrown. Using loppers, a hand saw and pruners, get shrubs pruned below window lines. Remove growth that is overhanging the driveway. Cut out any dead limbs or any unattractive growth. If a shrub is completely dead, remove it. An empty space will look more attractive than a dead plant. The will not cost you anything but a few hours of your time.
Install container plants
If you are lacking a pop of color in the front of your home buy some inexpensive planters from your local garden center. Install potting soil and some brightly colored annuals to contrast your landscape. Better yet, buy a pre-grown basket and put it in the planter. This ‘instant color’ will help brighten your home and detract from any unsightly shrubs that you may have in the landscape. Total cost to install 2 planters can be as low at $50.00
Mulch your beds
Mulch is fairly inexpensive and a good way to get a fresh look to your landscape. Many homeowners like the look of dyed black hardwood mulch. Others prefer the more neutral look of brown mulch. Whichever you choose, new mulch with help soften your landscape and give a new fresh look to your home. Installing the mulch yourself can be done for as low at $100-$200.00
Weed your beds
New homebuyers do not want buy a home that looks like it needs maintenance. Before you put your home up, take some time to remove weeds from your beds. As your home goes on the market, take time to go around weekly to make sure weeds are not growing in highly visible areas.
