Summer is coming to an end, and schools are back in session, so it’s time to get your home back in order.
With vacations and summer fun, it’s normal to put off tasks around our homes for a few months. Since this is a real estate column, what better topic to share than simple tips for improving your home’s curb appeal. Whether or not you plan to sell soon, improving your home’s curb appeal directly increases its value and creates positive feelings about where you live.
Imagine how much our neighborhoods would look, feel, and improve if we all took the time to complete just a few of the suggested tasks below. Here are five inexpensive ways to improve your curb appeal.
1. Paint your front door: The first thing anyone notices about your home is the front door, so let’s make it pop. A fresh coat of paint instantly updates a home’s appearance and creates a polished first impression. This is one of the easiest DIY projects and can be done with a bucket of paint and less than $100 in supplies.
2. Refresh your landscaping: Fresh landscaping directly signals that your property is well cared for and maintained. This can be as easy as laying down fresh mulch, adding new flowers, and trimming your trees and shrubs. This can be considered another DIY activity that gets you outside and, more importantly, lets you put your own touches on your home.
3. Upgrade outdoor lighting: Although homeowners sometimes overlook this, how your home looks in the evening can really make it stand out. This not only improves the exterior appearance but also adds a security benefit by keeping your home well lit. Now, with solar lights, installation can be as easy as pushing a stake into the ground. Upgrading porch lights, pathway lights, or installing string lighting are just a few of these ideas. LED lights are not only energy-efficient but can also brighten an area that perhaps wasn’t well lit before.
4. Add some color: Finding furniture and potted plants that stand out can really bring life to your home. These are easy to find at local furniture shops, hardware stores, or even garage sales. A porch chair, small bench, or table can also make an area feel more inviting and give you a place to enjoy your outdoor space with family and friends.
5. Pressure washing: Power washing your home, walkways, and other areas removes mold, mildew, and algae that can deteriorate your paint & siding. It also cleans away the spiders and insects that may have accumulated over the last few months, giving the exterior a fresh, clean look.
We love where we live, and one of our goals is to constantly find ways to improve our local community. By taking pride in our curb appeal, we continue to enhance the overall appearance of our neighborhoods. If you ever need any local vendors or assistance in locating tradesmen, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. spt
Mike Harper and Peter Hazdovac are licensed Realtors® and co-owners of HH Coastal Real Estate, an independent local brokerage serving San Pedro, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and the Greater South Bay.
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