Curb Appeal on a Budget: Small Changes That Attract Buyers

Curbing without breaking the bank.

Home sellers want to make money. And most think that means investing thousands of dollars into renovations before listing.

But what they often don’t realize… is that curb appeal can dramatically increase buyer perception for only a few hundred dollars or less.

Unlike expensive renovations, curb appeal upgrades are inexpensive and start working for you the moment they’re complete.

In this guide:

• Why you should care about curb appeal
• Exterior upgrades that won’t break the bank
• 5x Cheap curb appeal upgrades that attract buyers quickly
• How to prioritize which repairs to make first

Let’s dive in.

Why You Should Care About Curb Appeal

You might be asking yourself:

“Why should I spend time or money fixing up the outside of my home?”

You absolutely should.

Curb appeal matters — a lot.

Appealing hits buyers in the subconscious. It’s the difference between a buyer pulling into your driveway versus skipping your home entirely.

Curb appeal is so important that real estate researchers found that homes with great curb appeal sell for 7% more than other homes in the same neighbourhood. In slower markets, the premium grows to 10-11%.

That means for the average home selling for $300,000 you could sell your home for an extra $21k by improving curb appeal.

This holds true whether you’re hoping to attract buyers in today’s hot housing market or you’re looking for a fair cash offer house sale. The exterior condition of your property sets buyer expectations. Buyers who want to sell your house fast Naperville understand this and avoid properties with unkempt exteriors whenever possible.

What they may not realize, however, is that your home’s interior condition is typically reflective of its exterior. An unkempt exterior lets buyers know that the homeowner may not have been taking care of the property. They’ll begin to wonder what else has been neglected:

• The HVAC system
• The plumbing
• The foundation

If your house feels tired or worn down when buyers pull up to the curb, chances are they won’t bother to see if the inside is any different.

Cheaper Curb Appeal Upgrades That Add Value

Curb appeal improvements don’t need to be expensive or time-consuming.

You don’t need to replace your driveway, plant a garden or install a fancy new mailbox. Simple fixes can make your home shine.

Here’s what REALTORS across the country had to say about curb appeal according to NAR’s Remodeling Impact Report.

Translation: Fixing up the exterior of your home can dramatically shift buyer perception and is well worth the effort (and minimal investment).

With that being said, let’s look at five easy curb appeal upgrades that can be done in a weekend.

5 Cheap Curb Appeal Upgrades That Attract Buyers

These upgrades are inexpensive and easy to do. Pick one or two and get started before listing your home. Your buyers will thank you.

Paint the Front Door

Who knew painting your front door could make such a big difference?

It’s an inexpensive curb appeal upgrade that costs as little as $30 and comes with huge rewards.

Pick a bold colour that compliments your home and watch buyers obsess over how “welcome” it makes them feel.

Here are a few front door colours that tend to work well:

• Deep Blue
• Black
• Red

Buyers are automatically drawn to your home once they lay eyes on your front door. If it’s faded, dull or otherwise boring, they’ll lose interest. A fresh coat of paint goes a long way.

Clean Up Your Landscaping

First impressions matter and you don’t want buyers to walk up to an overgrown jungle of a yard.

Take a few minutes to tidy up your landscaping. It doesn’t cost a thing if you do it yourself and you can pay someone $50 to clean everything up.

Here’s what to focus on when cleaning your yard:

• Mow and edge your lawn.
• Trim bushes and weeds
• Fill your gardens with mulch.

Your yard literally cannot be sold until you pick up a bag of mulch.

Update House Numbers & Mailbox

If your house numbers look dingy or outdated, replace them. It takes 10 minutes and costs less than $20.

Chances are your mailbox could use a little love too.

If it’s leaning over, rusted through or faded from the sun, toss it. A new mailbox will cost you anywhere from $20-$50 and instantly increases buyer perception.

These small upgrades add up fast.

Power Wash EVERYTHING

Power washing your home can make it look years younger instantly and for less than $100.

Power wash the driveway, siding, walkways and fence.

After hours of dirt, mold and grime build up, your home is probably due for a good washing.

Does your house feel tired? Probably your exterior could be cleaned.

Realtors are naturally drawn to homes that look clean and put together. Potential buyers feel the same way and will pay more for a home that fits that description.

Add Some Outdoor Lighting

You don’t have to break the bank on fancy outdoor light fixtures. Something as simple as solar-powered path lights can take your curb appeal from night to day.

Buy a few sets of lights and stick them along your walkway.

Benefits of solar-powered lights:

• They come with stakes you can easily stick in the ground.
• Cost $20-$40 for a set.
• They install in minutes.
• You don’t have to wire them.
• They automatically turn on at dusk.

How to Prioritize What Upgrades to Make First

When money is tight, you’ll want to tackle curb appeal upgrades that give you the most bang for your buck.

Painting your front door is more important than your mailbox. But the mailbox is more important than replacing your driveway.

Here’s the exact order to spend your time (and money):

1. Clean everything. Seriously. Power washing is the cheapest thing you can do that will immediately improve curb appeal.
2. Clean up the landscaping. Mow, weed, trim and mulch.
3. Paint your front door. You’ll be shocked at the difference this simple fix makes.
4. Replace outdated hardware. House numbers, mailbox, etc.
5. Add lighting as a finishing touch.

Think of it like cooking a meal. You wouldn’t add the spices before you chopped your onions. You layer the tasks to get the most pleasing result.

Wrapping It Up

Curb appeal doesn’t have to be expensive.

By making your home look loved and put together on the outside, buyers will be dreaming of making the inside their home too.

Paint your front door. Add fresh mulch. Update your mailbox. Declutter.

Your curb appeal is the first, and sometimes the last, thing buyers will judge your home on. Don’t let them down.