Looks like curb appeal is important again
By Lucas on Aug 15, 2017
The time has come - we’re no longer seeing aggressive bidding wars on derelict homes in the resale market. In fact, the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) recently announced that the resale housing market saw a 40% year-over-year drop in sales in July 2017. Six months ago, sellers probably didn’t even consider making exterior improvements to sell. Well, we think it’s safe to say that your home’s curb appeal is important again.
Don’t worry, we got you covered. We have six ways you can go the extra mile to boost your home’s curb appeal and be the most memorable listing on MLS.
1) Make your address stand out
When people are house hunting, they remember each home they’ve seen by either the address or a characteristic of the home. By making your address pop, your home will remain top of mind. This can be accomplished with new numbers, a fresh paint job, or you can get creative!
2) Gardening goes a long way
Low-rise homes are always more beautiful when the landscaping is on point. You can take your home garden to a whole new level with these plants that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Our regular home gardening contributor, Mark Cullen, has many great tips on how to make your property as stunning as possible.
3) Focus on your front porch/entryway
First impressions are key when it comes to selling your home. You want your prospective buyers feeling good before they even step into the home, which is why it’s crucial to have a welcoming entryway. One tip is to think of your front porch as an indoor living space. Make it cozy, add some lighting, and again, don’t be afraid to get creative!
4) Clean windows and open curtains
How often do you clean the exterior of your windows? Probably rarely. You’d be surprised how much dirt has piled up over the summer. Clean your windows until they’re crystal clear, then open the curtains and blinds. A home looks larger and more welcoming when the curtains are drawn and you can see inside.
5) Don’t forget to look up
When polishing up the outside of your home, people tend to focus on things at eye level, partially because this area is also easy to reach. Don’t forget to look up at the windows on the second floor and do a close inspection of your eavestrough. We’re willing to bet that you’ve never got up on a ladder and gave your eavestrough a thorough scrubbing.
6) Remember curb appeal starts online
What year do you think this is? It’s safe to assume the majority of house hunters don’t hit the road, driving around their desired neighbourhood to see if there are any ‘for sale’ signs. Everyone starts their search online, so after you’ve completed all or some of the above, you need to take some high quality photos for your listing. Sometimes your real estate agent will take care of this for you. If not, insist on it!
The time of putting up a listing and watching the offers roll in, then accepting the highest offer with no conditions is in the past. If you want to sell your home for top dollar today, you need to get competitive, be memorable, and look like a dream home.
