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Whether you are selling or staying put, here are a few ways to give the outside of your home a facelift.
STEP 1
Spruce up the exterior. The quickest and most efficient way to give your home curb appeal is to pressure wash it. A pro will charge between $1000 and $2000 to pressure wash 2,500 square feet, according to www.homewyse.com. But why not do it yourself? For less than $80 per day, you could rent a pressure washer from Home Depot or Lowe's. Before you do it yourself, watch how-to videos on YouTube. Pressure washing is also good preparation for a paint job, which may be needed if the old pain is peeling, fading or chalky.
STEP 2
Tame the Landscaping. Few things detract from an otherwise beautiful home than overgrown grass and weeds. Rake the rubble last fall left behind out flower beds and re-edge them. Add mulch, which will not only look good, but will help control weeds and retain moisture. Trim shrubs and remove any dead wood. Reseed or resod thin or bare spots in the lawn and keep it mowed. If you're not up for the job, you could hire a professional landscaper for a seasonal cleanup. Depending on the size of your yard, that could cost several hundred dollars. To save some money, consider hiring a neighbor kid.
STEP 3
Add color. You want the entrance to your home to be as inviting as possible. Weathered trim ages the look of your house, as does a paint peeling door. Start by painting your front door and trim in an accent color that complements your home's overall look. Try out colors using online tools, such as Benjamin Moore's Personal Color Viewer, that let you upload and "paint" a photo of your home. If you have a porch, add patio furniture to help homebuyers visualize enjoying the front space. Plant annual flowers in the landscape beds, window boxes or containers on the porch. Add a seasonal wreath to liven up the front door. And don't forget the welcome mat for a finishing touch!
The Payoff – your home will turn heads – whether or not you are selling it.
