The Appeal Of Curb Appeal

By Kathryn Moore

"First impressions last a lifetime" or so they say. But how far does this stretch? Could it be true of houses as well as people? Of course, but it is called curb appeal when real estate is involved.

Curb appeal is the reason one stops driving and stares, fixated on a stranger's property or remembers a yard three years later. Curb appeal is what sets one house apart from the others. It makes a home unique and worth a second look.

When selling a house, first impressions are what it's all about. Curb appeal is the first impression. It is the little things that make this first impression a lasting one.

The best place to begin is basic yard maintenance. Deb Grimme, a realtor for Edina Realty said, "Make sure the yard is nice and the shrubs are trimmed. You want to see the house when you drive up."

"Trim the trees as high up as possible and add edging and mulch around pine trees," was the recommendation from Scott Seeley of Team Solutions, a Staging company working with Coldwell Banker Burnett.

But it goes beyond just the trees and mulch, Lisa Thiets an Accredited Staging® Professional suggested, "Keep up the lawn. Seed if possible, and sod if necessary. Clean up dead flowers and have lots of greenery in the yard."

"A new coat of fresh paint never hurts a house, nor does fixing the cracks and sealing the driveway," added Seeley.

So, what is the most important focus in attaining and maintaining curb appeal? Believe it or not, it isn't the grass or the gardens. Across the board it seems to be the front door. The front door is where the buyer does the most looking around. "It takes time to get the key out and open the door," said Grimme,

A few quick fixes to make the front door more appealing are fresh paint and straight house numbers. According to Grimme, "Flowerpot arrangements are a plus as well as having the front lights on. Buyers want to feel welcome."

"Make sure flowerboxes are filled at all times. In the spring and summer have flowers. In the winter fill them with evergreens and spruce tips," said Seeley.

If the house still looks a bit sparse from the curb, after the major spring cleaning has been done, then what? "I stand in a yard, look at the house, and try to figure out what compliments it," said Alberto Aguilar, a five year landscape veteran and proprietor of Mosaic Enterprises. "I try to match siding with paving stones and plant shrubs or put in retaining walls, depending on the look of the house."

Seeley suggests "Universal color across the yard." This means planting flowers that are the same color. It is also important, when planting, to have gardens blooming as long as possible. Different flowers bloom at different times, so plant a variety.

How important is curb appeal? "If the outside is as cute as a bug in a rug, the potential buyer will be able to live with certain flaws inside," said Seeley.