In the world of Real Estate first impressions are everything. Curb appeal can often make or break a deal before a Realtor even has a chance to show the buyer the rest of the house.
Most people assume that adding value to their property has to be costly, time consuming, and complicated; however, with a few DIY curb appeal updates, an owner can improve their chances of finding a buyer without spending a lot of time or money.
Below is a great example of how a little elbow grease and DIY savvy can make an incredible difference in the way that a home shows.
Before:
After:
The house above was featured in This Old House’s Reader Remodel Contest. Let’s take a second to look at what this couple did.
#1. The Screened Porch
They updated the front of the house by removing the outdated sun room and building out a porch. This sounds harder than it actually is. For some step-by-step instructions, check out this great tutorial by DIY Spirit.
#2. The Paint
Painting the exterior of your home is probably one of the more time-consuming projects but is also one of the most affordable and impacting updates you can make to the exterior of your home. The project may be something that you want to recruit some help for as it will likely take 2 – 3 days to complete. Keep in mind that the prep work is just as important as the paint you choose. Take some time too to carefully coordinate and choose your trim paint and wall paint. Neutral colors are your best bet and any paint store professional can help you pick suitable color schemes. For a great DIY tutorial for painting the exterior of your home, check out this article on DIY Network.
#3. The Details
In addition to updating window trim and gutter placements, this couple took the time to consider the finer details of this home’s curb appeal. They updated the front door to a lovely craftsman pine door and the side door to a more modern stock door. They also took the time to paint the steps, build planters, and finish out the landscaping. Those little details pull everything together and make the front of the house inviting and cheerful. Check out these links for DIY ideas for landscaping, planters, and trim updates.
Finally, always keep in mind that DIY projects take patience. Every project has its own unique timeline and you are sure to encounter one or two frustrating road blocks. The work WILL be worth it. Take a deep breath, carefully assess the situation, and move on. If things get out of hand, always consult a professional.
Walker Russell 