5 Small Upgrades that can Drastically Improve your Curb Appeal
by Joe Goldstein on Oct 15, 2018
First impressions matter. Whether you’re going on a blind date or trying to sell your home, a strong first impression can make all the difference.
Upgrading your home’s curb appeal can have a dramatic impact on the number of potential buyers that stop in to visit your home—and, of course, the final sales price. The trick is to only perform home upgrades that pay for themselves with a higher total sales price, but there are a few curb appeal hacks that can pay for themselves many times over.
1. Paint your Front Door
It might not be the first thing you notice from the curb, but your home’s front door is the last thing visitors see before they experience your home’s interior. Giving your door a fresh, vibrant paint job can help visitors envision your house as their new home just by removing signs of wear and tear. They even sell paints specifically called "Curb Appeal" designed for front doors.
2. Install Outdoor Lighting
Savvy home buyers don’t just drive by during the day—they also cruise your neighborhood at night to make sure it still feels safe. For that reason, be sure to add at least a little landscaping lighting to your yard. Strategically placed uplighting for your walls and trees, as well as some walkway lighting, can have a quick but powerful impact on your prospective buyers.
Whether you install your own lighting or work with a landscape lighting designer depends on what you’re up against: If all the homes on your block already have stake lights, it might be worth installing something more permanent.
3. Clean up your Garden Beds
Never try to sell a car without washing it first, and never try to sell a house without cleaning up the garden beds. You don’t have to go crazy here: just take a few minutes to clear out the dead and dying plants, add or clean up a stone border around your bed, and consider laying down some fresh mulch.
4. Clean up your driveway
If you haven’t rented a power washer in a while, now’s the time. Using a pressure washer to clean any spots or stains off your driveway only takes an hour or two, but you’ll be amazed just how much of a subtle impact it will have on your home’s overall curb appeal. Dig out any weeds, repair the cracks, and consider trimming your driveway with flagstones to make it look more inviting.
5. Replace missing roof riles
Most buyers aren’t going to get excited about a damaged or worn looking roof. Even if your roof isn’t due for replacement any time soon, there is nothing wrong with doing some minor repairs—especially for damage that is visible from the curb. Start by identifying what kinds of roof damage you’re facing, and then make sure that you won’t void your roof’s warranty by performing your own repairs. You might also want to consider replacing or repainting your gutters at the same time.
We hope these quick tips can help you get more buyers on your doorstep and more value out of your home.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
94900 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
74292 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
71742 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
52733 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
30574 Views
Latest Articles
10 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget
A concrete patio can be a game-changer for your outdoor space. It is durable, versatile, and can be customized to fit your style. But what if you...
on Mar 25, 2025
Tips for Creating a Stunning Personalized Photo on Canvas
Order the unique beauty of a personalized photo on canvas and bring your memories to life. With a customized photo on canvas, you can transform...
on Mar 7, 2025
Best Areas to Buy Property in Singapore for Long-Term Growth
Singapore's real estate market remains one of the most stable and lucrative in the world. With limited land supply, strong governmental...
on Feb 18, 2025
Troubleshooting Excess Water in Your HVAC Secondary Condensate Drain Pan
When maintaining your air conditioning system, it is easy to overlook the condensate drain pan - until excess water starts pooling in places where...
on Jan 12, 2025
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): A Beginners Guide
By combining the advantages of stock market and real estate investing, Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, offer an alluring investment...
on Dec 19, 2024
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Best Areas to Buy Property in Singapore for Long-Term Growth
on Feb 18, 2025
Real Estate / Finance

Singapore's real estate market remains one of the most stable and lucrative in the world. With limited land supply, strong governmental...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 264
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 203
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 148
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 116
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 113
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
5 Ways to Spice Up Your Kitchen
After a long winter of being cooped up inside, indoor projects may be the last thing on your mind. But the kitchen is an unavoidable part of the...
What to Consider Buying a New Furnace
It happens, in the same way, any household appliance eventually sees its last breath so does the furnace. However, it is recommended that before...
6 Ways You Can Spruce Up Your Kitchen on a Budget
An attractive and healthy-looking kitchen is one of the most striking spaces in the home. The condition of your kitchen can add to or subtract from...
Smart Upgrades to Get More from Your Home Renovation
If you are planning a home remodeling project, it is the perfect time to consider making a few major upgrades that will make your home more...
High Tech Home Security
Modern homes have far more security options than those of only a generation ago. Smart homes mean smarter home security options for homeowners. If...