Love at first sight. Is it real?
A recent study conducted at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands not only confirmed that the phenomenon is real, but also found strangers were more likely to experience love at first sight with physically attractive others.
This is reportedly true in love, and we also know firsthand that it is true when selling your home. First impressions matter—a LOT.
Why Do First Impressions Count?
“When buyers see the outside taken care of, they have a better attitude that the inside will be just as nice! First impressions make lasting impressions.” – Suzette Peoples, Owner of Peoples Properties
According to a Michigan State University study, a home with landscaping and effort put into curb appeal can increase perceived home value between 5% and 11%. Curb appeal can also sell a home faster.
Perceived value is very personal and highly subjective. It has nothing to do with numbers or logic. It has everything to do with perception. Emotion is the ruler of perceived value, and people buy on emotions. In fact, according to Harvard Professor Gerald Zaltman, 95% of our purchasing decisions are made by our unconscious mind.
How To Get Great Curb Appeal
So, what are the smartest curb-appeal projects?
Based on the 2019 report from Remodeling magazine and the 2019 Remodeling Impact Report from the National Association of REALTORS®, these are the projects with the highest emotional appeal and return on investment:
Wash your home’s face. Cleaning up the home’s exterior with a thorough power-washing can add $10,000 to $15,000 to the sales price.
Freshen the paint job. The most commonly offered curb appeal advice from real estate pros and appraisers is to give the exterior of your home a tasteful new color scheme. Selecting an attractive palette may be tough, but Julie and her team know the colors that are most popular with current buyers, so we can give you savvy advice on choosing the right colors. Buyers will instantly notice a new paint job, and appraisers will value it.
Mind the roof. The condition of your roof is one of the first things buyers notice and appraisers assess. A new roof has a return on investment as high as 109%. For more roof tips, click here.
Neaten the yard. The Associated Landscape Contractors of America says landscaping can add as much as 14% to the resale value of a home and speed up its sale significantly.
Add attractive colors. Color attracts and pleases the eye of would-be buyers. If you’re planning to sell your house in spring, add colorful flowering plants to your front yard so they’ll be in full bloom at the time of showing. If you have a front porch, consider adding a couple of brightly colored chairs or a bench. If you’re feeling a little daring, paint the front door, too. For more tips, click here.
Glam-up your mailbox. If you have a standing mailbox, digging a flowerbed by it and adding pretty flowers like pansies or primroses will amp up curb appeal. A chic mailbox, elegant house numbers, or address plaques can also help make your house stand out.
Fence it up. A picket fence with a garden gate to frame your yard is an attractive feature. It adds visual punch to your property and extra value during the appraisal. If you already have a fence, make sure it’s clean and in good condition. For more tips, click here.
Little details matter. Nothing looks worse from the curb – and sets off subconscious alarms – like hanging gutters, cracked or missing bricks from the front steps, or peeling paint. They can make potential buyers immediately think the entire property has suffered from deferred maintenance. They can also decrease the value of your house by as much as 10%.
