Are you planning to sell your home in the next few months? Maybe you want to make your home more inviting for you and your family. Either way, you have a ton of options if you want to enhance your curb appeal.
If you’re on a strict budget, you might need to pass on more involved projects like a new deck or fresh coat of paint. However, minor enhancements can significantly improve your home’s aesthetic.
Consider tackling these projects for low-cost curb appeal, simple tasks for your next day off.
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1. Clear Away the Clutter
Are your children’s toys scattered all over your front lawn, making it look like a bomb exploded? Maybe your shrubbery is starting to resemble a small forest. If so, it’s time to schedule a cleanup.
If you have a significant amount of clutter to clear, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the extent of your task. Instead, make a 30-day list of minor things you can attend to.
You can also select five items to find a home for each day. Little by little, you’ll chip away at the mess until there’s a place for everything — and everything is in its proper place. Buyers will often look elsewhere if a home’s landscaping is poor, so put the work in.
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2. Tidy Up Your Entranceways
Your front door is meant to welcome both you and your guests. It has a significant impact despite its comparatively small size. The same goes for your garage, though the scale is a bit different.
Your garage can comprise as much as 30% of your home’s exterior. You want to keep it looking fresh, without the wear and accumulated dirt that builds up over years of homeownership.
With that in mind, wipe down your garage door and clean away that grime. Take a day to retrofit your front door as well, giving it a fresh coat of paint. If you have a little bit more money, a new knob and knocker set can boost appeal.
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4. Clean Your Windows
Are your windows covered with tons of tiny fingerprints? Smeary windows make your abode appear unkempt from the outside. Take the time to learn how to clean the interior and exterior properly.
Many versions open inward, allowing you to clean even top floor models without using a ladder.
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5. Add New House Numbers
When you call to order a pizza, does the driver have to contact you to locate the right address? If you can’t see your house numbers from the street, it’s challenging for anyone from FedEx to a buyer to find the property.
You can purchase inexpensive home numbers for less than $50 at many hardware and department retailers. It’s a simple strategy for low-cost curb appeal that makes a big difference.
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6. Buy a Sunny Doormat
You want guests — and your children — to remember to wipe their feet before they enter your home. Invest in a sunny doormat that greets everyone who enters with a fun or sentimental saying.
This step takes next-to-no effort but instantly makes your abode more welcoming, a smart way to enhance your curb appeal for next to nothing.
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7. Paint Your Shutters
Maybe you don’t have the budget to paint the entire exterior of your home. However, you can update your shutters, often in a single afternoon, depending on your home’s size.
Choose a complementary hue, perhaps the same one you use to touch up your entryway. Your home will magically transform from a haunted-looking mansion into a cozy cottage in just hours.
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8. Add Window Boxes
Something about a house lined with decorative window boxes screams country charm. Plus, prospective buyers can easily visualize themselves puttering about in the gardens.
You can change the color of your blooms with the seasons to update your look without a ton of effort.
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9. Plant Some Trees
Finally, a mature tree offers a lot of value to a property. It’s best to start early. When planting trees, keep both privacy and safety in mind.
Place more massive species, such as oaks, far enough away that their branches won’t overhang the roof when they’re fully grown. Falling debris can cause damage and leaks. You could surround your backyard with stately pines for added privacy, or plant an elm on either side of your driveway.
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Enhance Your Curb Appeal With These Low-Cost Ideas
You don’t need to blow through an entire bankroll to enhance your curb appeal. Use these tips to keep your property looking stellar on a tight budget.
Author Bio:
Dylan Bartlett, aka, “The Regular Guide,” writes about DIY projects, home improvement and more on his blog. Check out Just a Regular Guide to read about similar topics, or follow Dylan on Twitter @theregularguide for frequent updates on his work.