By: Claire Marie, Staff Writer
In a world where ‘what you see is what you get’ is quickly becoming the norm, it’s increasingly important to make sure that the exterior of your home is giving off a great first impression to potential home buyers.
Things that may seem inconsequential, such as the color of your door, or the shape of your doorknob, could be costing you.
A study recently conducted by Zillow, published in Time Magazine, found that painting your front door black or charcoal gray could increase your sale price by as much as $6,271. Caution was urged when changing the color of rooms like your kitchen- the same study found that homes with red kitchens sold for $2,300 less than those with traditional lighter tones, while having a muted tone like taupe or light blue in the bathroom could raise your home value by as much as $2,800.
Painting your front door isn’t the only way to increase your home’s value; you can also install an eye-catching doorknob that will set the tone for the furnishings on the interior of the home. For example, if you have a home where everything inside is very modern and clean you could install a doorknob with an electronic lock, or if you have a Victorian styled home you could get an ornate door knocker. It’s all in the details.
One of those details is the address of your home. This is obviously very important when selling your home as you want to make sure that potential buyers have an easy time spotting your house from the street. A great way to do this is to buy new numbers that complement the exterior of your home and will be instantly eye catching.
Another great way to boost curb appeal is to add a stone, or brick path which will draw the eye straight to your doorway. This is an especially nice touch if you are trying to show off your newly painted door!
The final touch is landscaping. You may think this doesn’t apply to you- maybe you don’t have a yard at all, let alone the money to spend on planting a garden. Instead, consider buying a few potted plants or installing window planter boxes- these will quickly brighten up and add a cheerful quality to any home. If you do have a yard make sure that you give it the same consideration as you would the interior of your home- mow the grass, prune the bushes, rake up any dead leaves, and pick up any kids’ toys that may be laying around.
Remember – the exterior of the home sets the tone for what people expect to find on the interior so make sure your home is making the statement you want both inside and out!