When you hear “curb appeal,” the first thing that probably comes to mind is a grandiose mansion with a lush yard and a luxurious car parked in the driveway. But even though the poster child for good curb appeal is an expensive property, you don’t have to spend a fortune. Even the smallest changes can boost your curb appeal, and, consequently, your home’s overall value.
Want to boost your home’s look, but not sure where to begin? It’s easy for homeowners to overlook small things that could be harming their home’s appeal and property value. Here are some surprising things that could be hurting your home’s curb appeal and how to fix them.
A Cracked and Crumbling Driveway
Whether you have asphalt, brick, or concrete, your driveway will naturally deteriorate over time. Most people have driveways riddled with cracks and holes because they don’t see the point in fixing them if their driveway will just deteriorate again in a few years’ time. But just because deterioration is inevitable doesn’t mean you can’t slow it down.
A dilapidated driveway isn’t the most pleasant thing to look at. Having one could hurt your curb appeal and home value. The best way to fix this problem is to patch up any damage to your driveway and then seal coat it. Seal coating offers many benefits. It protects the pavement from rain, snow, UV rays, chemical spills, and other factors that are notorious for causing damage. If you seal coat your driveway every two years, you can stop cracks and holes from forming in the first place.
Desolate Landscaping
Does your landscaping remind you of a beautiful, lush jungle? Or does it look more like a scene out of a Midwestern movie, with zero greenery and a tumbleweed casually rolling though? Desolate landscaping is another thing that could be hurting your home’s curb appeal.
If your lawn is looking a little bare, spruce it up with some grass, shrubs, flowers, and lawn decorations. If you live in an area with arid and barren soil, you can lay down artificial turf instead of genuine grass and plant flowers and shrubs in pots or planters instead of the ground.
Dirt and Mold Everywhere
It’s hard to keep a home’s exterior clean. You might tidy everything up one day, and the next day, a massive thunderstorm rolls into town and destroys your hard work. But even though it’s arduous and frustrating, if you want impeccable curb appeal and a sky-high property value, you need to keep up with cleaning.
If your exterior walls, front doors, windows, walkways, and fences are looking grimy, rent a power washer and hose down the dirt, mold, mildew, and other imperfections. This will result in a sparklingly clean exterior, and all it took was a small amount of money and a couple of hours of work.
