A snow shovel isn’t a porch decoration

January 24, 2023 by

It seems like it’s only a matter of minutes where we go from pumpkins to holiday lights to months of outdoor decor hibernation.  

That said, let’s talk about curb appeal.

If your listing isn’t living up to its curb appeal potential, a few simple changes could add up to a fantastic front-of-house facelift.

Don’t curb the appeal.

Yes, it’s tempting to keep a pink flamingo or two on the front lawn, but it’s only a pass if the house is in South Carolina.

 

Ditto a yard looking like a miniature golf course invaded with inanimate plastic creatures, dwarves, garden gnomes, and faded metal butterflies stuck mid-flight to the gate.It is also important to pay close attention to the architecture of the house when making changes or it will backfire — kind of like a lumberjack trying to wear a tutu.

The results aren’t edifying.

 

While you can never have too much of a good thing, you could have too much of one thing. No one feels any sort of fondness for a muddle of empty plant pots or a screen door with dirt going back to the Roman Conquest.

And if you really want to see curb appeal take a nosedive, leave out the garden hoses, hockey sticks, brooms and objects whose functions aren’t readily apparent. But there’s no need to throw in the towel, or even a washcloth. Curb appeal is one of the easiest components to improve when sellers decide to put their home on the market. 

While we’re on the porchIf the home is lucky enough to have a covered porch, nothing says “We live a good life here”, like a cozy seating area. Just because no one will be sitting on the porch having morning coffee until spring, doesn’t mean the porch needs to look like the kind of location a body might be found in an advanced state of decomposition. Even something as simple as a narrow bench topped with cushions will add charm to make passers-by pause and prospective buyers swoon, creating a street-view snapshot of domestic delight. 

Your best facade forward

The front door is the passage into the heart of the home. It’s the star of the show, with everything else playing supporting roles. But if there’s any question as to where the front door is, there’s probably room for improvement.

A mailbox to remember 

Winter also means that we don’t have the flourish of summer greenery to distract from peeling numerical address stickers and a battered warhorse of a mailbox, looking like something you might send figs in, what some might call – “disturbing to others.” Swapping them out to something hip (house numbers that can easily be spotted from the street in an easy-to-read font), is an inexpensive way to introduce the listing, remembering to change out any non-matching exterior light or door handle.

Remember the tutu?

Planters filled with small evergreens or faux topiaries really make an appealing difference, especially in homes with scant frontal real estate. Flank the front door with topiaries or urns filled with small evergreens, and suddenly, you’ve got a grand entrance.

And it doesn’t have to be Christmas to hang a decorative wreath. Pinky swear.

Lights. Camera. Action.

String lights aren’t just for the holidays. Place a battery-operated string inside a clear lantern for a soft glow. Or wrap around a tree, a porch railing or along the top of a fence for a look that will make buyers want to live outside. This creates the same luring effect from the street as a lit window display on a storefront.

Aim to impress buyers via “pix appeal” – the home’s appearance in online listing photos.

Morning and late afternoons are best for getting beautiful, naturally lit photos, while high noon is the worst. 

Remove window screens to make the windows sparkle in the photos.

Make the front door stand out in the shots, not the garage door.

Elevate the camera to get more of the home.

It’s first impression, first and last.

Set the stage and go forth. 
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