The Importance of Curb Appeal

Have you ever imagined a beautiful house that appears warm and welcoming with its lush lawn, blooming flowers, and bright paint? We bet you have.

Now, what if this beautiful house and another, comparable one with a patchy front yard, peeling paint, and aging roof were up for sale? Which one do you think would garner the higher offer? You guessed right—the more welcoming home!

If you are listing your home for sale in Sioux Falls, keep in mind that the aesthetic look of a house’s exterior gives homebuyers their first impression of a property before they inquire further.

Sellers and buyers do not look at a house the same way. Most buyers choose whether to look inside a home or pass by it within seconds based on its curb appeal. The experts at Amy Stockberger Real Estate (ASRE) know that an attractive house sells more quickly. That's why we've put together a list of curb appeal tips to help you sell your home.

Defining Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is a simple term used to describe the aesthetic appeal of a home from the sidewalk. It is a combination of all the attention-grabbing features that make a house look its best on the exterior.

Various inexpensive tasks can improve the curb appeal of your place, for example, a fresh coat of paint, clean landscaping, swapping out small things like old light fixtures, fixing or replacing shutters, etc.

Why is curb appeal important when selling a house?

Make a Lasting First Impression

Buyers' connection with a house builds in the first moments and we all understand the importance of first impressions. Curb appeal anchors the mood for the entire walk-through of the home and if a seller fails to deliver on curb appeal it could affect the way buyers view the rest of the house. If a seller makes a bad first impression with the house's exterior, any positive emotional response from the buyer will become an uphill battle.

Pique a Buyer's Interest in the House

It is essential to understand that buying and selling a house can be an emotional experience. Therefore, sellers must put themselves in the buyer's shoes and set the stage for producing a positive emotional response from a buyer. Hence, how a house looks on the exterior brings about expectations of what the interior will look like.   Additionally, if a homebuyer falls in love with the curb appeal of your house, they may be willing to overlook any interior drawbacks once they view the inside.

Increase the Price

Suppose your prospective buyer appreciates the curb appeal of your house. In that case, the buyer may be more likely to accept the initial asking price you asked for and less likely to try to negotiate on reasons that could be deal-breakers for you. Curb appeal goes a long way in receiving the value you wish to get. It was found in a study by The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics that good curb appeal has the potential to increase a house's value by up to 7%.

Demonstrate Care for the Home

Maintenance reflects the state of a house and can make or break the house's curb appeal. As a seller, you should maintain the exterior of your home because if the exterior looks inadequate, this could lead potential buyers to wonder what other things are being overlooked or ignored.

Stand Apart From the Competition

Undoubtedly, a beautiful and eye-catching house will make a more lasting impression. If your house is welcoming with a good curb appeal, it will stand out from the other listings, which will eventually help your home stand out from the competition. Remember that yours is not the only house that buyers are looking at. They’re most likely comparing multiple homes in the Sioux Falls area, so if your home does not stand out in a positive way, it could negatively impact the sale.

Invest in Curb Appeal

A professional real estate team like ASRE can stress the importance of curb appeal in a way that will help potential buyers see themselves living in your home for sale. There are several ways to improve your house's curb appeal ranging from installing a popular style of light to an attractive front door, mailbox design, paint color, or even the types of flowers and so on. Some of these smaller projects could be the key to making a buyer happy and thus, more apt to seal the deal, so spending a little time and money on curb appeal is an easy way to attract potential buyers.