The One Curb Appeal Mistake Real Estate Agents Immediately Notice

Real estate agents have a keen sense of what is and isn’t working when it comes to a home’s exterior, and they have plenty of thoughts on curb appeal.

“A little effort out front can go a long way in getting people excited to see the rest of the home,” Sebastian Hovsepian, a realtor at NEXT Brokerage, says.

Here, three professionals speak to the biggest mistake that people can make when it comes to curb appeal and how to remedy this issue without breaking the bank. Spending a bit of time now enhancing the outside of your home will work wonders when it’s time to put it on the market and attract potential buyers.

The Worst Curb Appeal Mistake: A Bad Front Entryway

Real estate agents agree that the worst curb appeal mistake one can make is not paying attention to how their front entryway and the first impression that their home makes as a whole.

“So often, sellers focus all their time and money on updating the inside of the house, thinking, ‘Buyers care more about the interior,'” Heather Myers, co-owner of the Snyder Real Estate Group, says.

However, she explains, it’s crucial to abandon this mindset and view the front entryway as a critical part of the home to design. Many buyers decide how they feel about a home before they ever step through the front door, Myers explains.

In fact, speaking of the front door, your literal door itself holds more power than you might think, Danielle Andrews, a realtor at Realty ONE Group, adds.

“The front door is the literal welcome mat to the home,” she says. Make sure that it’s well-painted, chip-free, and paves the way for a positive visit.

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How to Fix It

Wondering how to improve your home’s curb appeal? Keep reading for pro-approved tips that will make a major difference without requiring too much time or money.

• Make basic improvements to refresh your space. The good news is that you can work to improve your home’s front entryway without breaking the bank, Myers explains. “A landscaping re-fresh, power washing, fresh front-door flowers, and even a new welcome mat can go a long way,” she says. Andrews views similarly and adds that touching up your home’s paint, doormat, and lighting will make a major difference.
• Include seasonal touches. To go the extra mile, you can even incorporate some tasteful seasonal decor, such as a wreath or potted plants, she explains.

Tips for Better Curb Appeal

• Landscape like a pro. Layered landscaping will make your exterior look ultra sophisticated, Andrews shares. This means displaying a mix of low shrubs, flowers, and planters. Be mindful about what you’re planting—Hovsepian suggests opting for native species that you know will survive well in your climate.
• Power wash. Make sure your driveway and walkway are clean. Andrews suggests giving them a good power wash prior to an open house.
• Tame your grass. Hovsepian always notices when the greenery outside of a home is not in good shape. Either it’s so overgrown that there is no clear path to the front door, or it’s sparse and the lawn is patchy. He advises laying down fresh sod to fill patchy areas and trimming back anything that has grown too extreme.
• Update your lighting. In terms of your home’s exterior lighting, go with warm and bright bulbs and replace any fixtures that look outdated, Andrews shares.
• Look at your house from across the street. To ensure your house is appealing from a distance, Hovsepian recommends standing across the street and seeing what your first impression is from that angle before declaring that your front entryway is good to go. “Pretend you’re a buyer seeing it for the first time,” he says, adding that should you discover any flaws, you’ll know what to address ASAP.