A home's curb appeal is what makes it attractive to individuals who pass by it on the street. For some homes, the architecture alone offers a large portion of a home's attractiveness. Landscape solutions can complete the picture by filling in bare spots and adding contrasting colors and textures. If you are in the market to sell your home, curb appeal may end up being a large factor in whether or not you get your original asking price.
Make Any Repairs That Are Needed
Over time, things around the home begin to show wear and tear. Cracks can appear in sidewalks, the paint on shutters can fade, vinyl and aluminum siding can become stained from water run off your lawn can show bare spots caused by high levels of foot and animal traffic. If you are wanting to increase your homes' curb appeal, fixing each of these problems will add value and also make your home look much more appealing.
A few dollars spent on small repairs can add big numbers to the resale value of your home. When you get ready to list your home on the market, your realtor will give you a list of small improvements you can make to increase the curb appeal and property value of your home. Even small repairs can make a big difference.
In some cases, minor repairs will not take care of the problem. Painting a home, clearing away dead or dying bushes and replacing portions of the driveway may be what is needed to fix the problems and increase the overall look of your home. Major repairs may be outside of your abilities. If this is the case, go to the extra expense an hire a professional. This way the job is done correctly the first time.
Add Landscape Solutions
Landscape solutions like rock gardens, exotic plants, fountains, ponds, patios, decks and built in barbecue pits can all increase your home's curb appeal. The more permanent and maintenance free something is, the higher the value that will be placed on it. People who are looking to purchase a new home will detract value for objects that they believe will be too costly to operate or maintain.
It's always a good idea to talk to a professional who can offer landscape solutions that are professionally installed. They can take the guess work out of what type of plants work in each type of climate and whether or not fountains or ponds would be a good choice. They also have the knowledge to install and plant each item correctly. This can save you both time and money if you have never tried your hand at landscaping.
Artificial Turf
One way to increase curb appeal is to convert your natural grass lawn to artificial turf. Landscape solutions should offer several benefits. Artificial grass offers a wide variety of benefits and is cost effective when you take into consideration the number of years it will remain in place. As an effective part of any landscaping plan, artificial turf offers the following benefits when used to create curb appeal:
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Uniform color and texture
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Low maintenance
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Easy to care for
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Very little time set aside for maintenance and upkeep
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Ideal for pets and children
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No need for hazardous chemicals
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Does not wear from excessive levels of foot traffic
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No need to reseed
The exterior look of a home may be the deal breaker as to whether or not home sells for what the owner is asking. The key is making the home appealing enough that the buyer is willing to pay the original sale price. With a little work, a home's value can be increased dramatically with just a few minor repairs.
