When it comes to buying or selling, first impressions matter.
Ready to sell your home? Or perhaps you’re looking for ways to elevate your home’s aesthetic? Your home’s exterior helps give potential buyers a snippet of what’s to come on the inside. We’ve got some ideas for you! Read on to learn 12 ways to boost your Santa Monica home’s curb appeal.
1. Hire a Professional Landscaper
The Washington Post strongly recommends investing as much as 10 percent of your home’s value into landscaping in order to make the outside as impressive as the inside. With that in mind, it’s worthwhile to consider hiring a professional landscaper. This will boost your home’s curb appeal tremendously and get your yard looking healthy and vibrant.
2. Invest in a Backyard Water Feature
If you’re looking to create a more tranquil environment in your backyard, consider adding a water feature. In addition to adding a peaceful ambiance, this will also add an additional touch of beauty to your space. If you’re short on space, consider adding a koi pond to add a unique element to your landscape. Or perhaps consider adding a water wall. Also known as a rain curtain, this feature is easily customizable and will create an idyllic space for practicing yoga or meditation.
If you enjoy bird watching, then a birdbath might be the right move for you. This will transform your backyard into a watery oasis for your neighborhood birds. If none of these quite match your style, there are a plethora of options for you to elevate your backyard. Tackling this step will significantly help improve the aesthetic of your landscape.
3. Wash the Windows
Dirty, smeared windows are uninviting and can turn off potential buyers. Thankfully, this is a quick and inexpensive fix that will increase your home’s curb appeal. It’s essential to keep your windows sparkling clean and free of any streaks or dirt. Start by removing streaks, dirt, or dust that make your windows look dull. Follow these steps to make your windows shine. With the right spray, cloth, and technique, you’ll have your windows sparkling in no time.
4. Add Potted Plants
Lush foliage and healthy plants create a welcoming environment — all before someone steps foot inside. When you’re considering ways to up your home’s curb appeal, it’s a good idea to add some potted plants. Plants help to breathe life into a space and give the appearance that your home is cared for. Hanging plants, such as ferns, are a great and easy touch! If your porch has an overhang, then this is the perfect place to add a luscious hanging plant.
5. Don’t Forget the Small Touches
When you’re prepping your house for the market, it can be easy to focus on the big-picture items. But when it comes to upping your home’s curb appeal, don’t overlook the small touches! From trimming shrubs to adding a pop of color to your front door to planting some fresh flowers, these small projects will help elevate the exterior of your property. Remember that these seemingly small details add up rather quickly. In fact, it’s often these small touches that make all the difference.
6. Replace Gutters and Downspouts
This job might be far from glamorous, but it is necessary. Yes, we’re talking about replacing gutters and downspouts. Although Santa Monica certainly is not rainy year-round, it does have its rainy months. As such, it’s critical to replace the gutters and downspouts of your home. This is a crucial step that will help keep your home in excellent shape and maintain its overall quality.
7. Add Outdoor Lighting
Installing landscape lighting not only helps raise your curb appeal, but it also makes your home safer, too! After all, a dark property can undoubtedly pose safety risks for you and your family. When stairs go unit, it can be easy for someone to slip and fall. To prevent this, add outdoor lighting to improve visibility after dark.
If you’re considering adding outdoor lighting, then the first step is to choose the type of lighting you prefer. Do you prefer spotlights, flood flights, or perhaps step lights? Regardless of what you choose, there are a plethora of lighting types to choose from. This allows you to find one that best matches the aesthetic of your home. The best part is this step is relatively simple and easy to tackle over a weekend — no professional required!
8. Clean the Driveway
Don’t forget to take a look at the driveway and make sure it’s clean! Your driveway will most likely need a good cleaning to get it in stellar condition. Cracks, weeds, or stains will decrease the value of your home. But thankfully, some minor maintenance can ensure this doesn’t happen! You’ll first want to make sure there are no small weeds growing in the cracks of your driveway and sidewalks. After that, sweep up any debris or loose gravel. Additionally, you’ll want to remove any oil stains from the cement. If necessary, pressure wash the pavement to help it look its best!
9. Paint the Front Door and Trim
Another way to elevate the curb appeal of your home is by painting the front door and trim. After all, the front door is one of the first things people see when they view your home, and it serves as an entryway for what is inside. With that in mind, it’s important not to overlook this step! Whether you’re striving to add a pop of color or revamp a worn front door, this is an easy weekend project that will help score major curb appeal points.
However, there are a few important factors to keep in mind when it comes to painting your front door and trim. Classic hues such as brown, black, or gray will withstand the test of time. But if you want to go a bit bolder, consider painting the door a bright color. If you’re unsure about using a bright color, think about painting your door a darker version of the color, such as burgundy or forest green.
You’ll also want to make sure you buy the proper paint since the door and trim will be exposed to the outside elements. Latex paint, for example, provides weather-resistant coverage. Regardless of what you choose, be sure to coat the door with an exterior primer first.
10. Give Your Mailbox a Makeover
It might be easy to forget about your mailbox, but we’re here to make sure you don’t forget this detail. If you have a worn, boring, or battered mailbox, now is the time to upgrade. Out with the old and in with the new! If the mailbox is still in good condition, a new coat of spray paint will easily elevate the look. If your mailbox is old, then it might be time to consider a replacement.
11. Revamp Your Walkway
When improving their home’s curb appeal, most people focus on landscaping, or “softscape.” However, it’s also important to pay attention to the hardscape areas, including the walkways. After all, your walkway has the important job of leading guests to your front door. It is also one of the first things that people see, making a subtle statement about the condition of the rest of the property.
Using a pressure washer will help to clear any dirt or grime from your walkways. This is a simple way to give your walkways a fresh new look. You’ll also want to ensure that paver stones, stepping stones, or bricks are securely in place to ensure a safe footing for pedestrians!
12. Clean the Roof
Consistently cleaning your roof helps maintain the health of your home. If your roof is old and in questionable condition, it’s a good idea to replace it before selling. This can, understandably, be a costly upgrade. After all, a poorly maintained roof with broken fixtures can negatively affect the value of your home and its curb appeal. However, if the roof is still in good shape, a thorough cleaning will do the job. This will help remove stains from trees, and algae, prevent leaves and debris from clogging gutters and prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
Ready to leave the cold behind and make the move to Santa Monica? If so, contact Scott Price today. As one of the most sought-after Santa Monica real estate agents, Scott serves a wide range of neighborhoods. He is an expert in everything related to Santa Monica real estate.
