Hello, we recently purchased a foreclosure. It is definitely lacking curb appeal, but it was a price that we could afford. Can you guys help me figure out what to do to add some curb appeal? I have already planted a few more lilies around the front (those are gardenia foundation plantings) and removed the blue spruce? cypress? that was in the middle. I also painted the front door black and replaced the outside lights. We may be moving again very soon and are afraid that are ugly exterior is going to cost us a buyer. Please help!
Getting Top Dollar through Curb Appeal--HELP!
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The area above your garage door is "prime real estate" for you to add something of visual interest. Right now, it's a blank canvas.
For example, one of those Pennsylvania Dutch "Hex Signs."
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Or if you're out west, maybe a ranch brand, or anything else that might be appropriate for your region or tastes. Get creative!
Another idea would be to add a walkway path from the front door to the sidewalk. Use some nice brick pavers or flagstone or whatever else you might like.. If you park your car in the driveway near the door, it's more convenient and less awkward for visitors if they can walk directly to the front door.
For example, one of those Pennsylvania Dutch "Hex Signs."
Or if you're out west, maybe a ranch brand, or anything else that might be appropriate for your region or tastes. Get creative!
Another idea would be to add a walkway path from the front door to the sidewalk. Use some nice brick pavers or flagstone or whatever else you might like.. If you park your car in the driveway near the door, it's more convenient and less awkward for visitors if they can walk directly to the front door.
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No way would I add all those personal taste features to the front of the house if I was trying to sell!
I'd be spending all my money to make sure everything was clean inside and out, no peeling or stained paint, up grading the bathrooms and kitchen if needed.
Make sure all appliances and light fixtures match.
No burned out light bulbs, dripping or stained sinks toilets or tubs .
The yard looks fine the way it is.
There buying the house and location not the yard.
I'd be spending all my money to make sure everything was clean inside and out, no peeling or stained paint, up grading the bathrooms and kitchen if needed.
Make sure all appliances and light fixtures match.
No burned out light bulbs, dripping or stained sinks toilets or tubs .
The yard looks fine the way it is.
There buying the house and location not the yard.
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Obviously, as shown above, there are regional differences as to what makes a house attractive. :smile: My father used to say, to let the buyer imagine what their life & taste would be like in the house, i.e. no purple
& orange walls! Some might not like a black door, it used to be a sign of death. So if you have trouble selling. . . change it back.
Stepping stones are just practical.
& orange walls! Some might not like a black door, it used to be a sign of death. So if you have trouble selling. . . change it back.
Stepping stones are just practical.
I agree with Joe, and would focus on the types of things that he mentioned. Beyond keeping the lawn mowed and possibly trimming low hanging branches that would smack someone in the face as they walk around the house, the only things that I would worry about on the outside are those that affect the inside; such as whether the downspouts are directing water away from the house and whether the grading is sloped away from the house, both of which, if neglected, can contribute to a damp basement or crawl space. Otherwise, in my opinion, "curb appeal" is too often overstated, not to mention that what is appealing to one person may be appalling the next. And the same can be said for a lot of costly interior renovations. I know of one house not to far from us that sold about 15 years ago, then again a couple of years after that, and again a few years ago. It's a nice home, and just happened that each of the sales were due to job transfers, nothing against the house, but each time the very large kitchen was completely gutted and redone, not because it was ever shabby, in fact far from that, but because the new owners did not like the same things as the previous owners. And I don't know all of the details, but enough that I am quite sure I could have framed and at least closed in a modest complete home for what has been spent on the multiple kitchen renovations in this home. My advise is to take Joe's advice, address things that need to be addressed, otherwise keep it simple, and people will envision their own "curb appeal".
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Not focusing on curb appeal is a huge mistake. Curb appeal is the first impression and if it looks plain on the outside, that will carry over to the inside.
The plain white doors need to go. I would faux stain them both. Also get some really nice garage and front door fixtures. Make a statement with them.
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The plain white doors need to go. I would faux stain them both. Also get some really nice garage and front door fixtures. Make a statement with them.
Thank you all so much for your advice!~ I wasn't sure I would even get a response :surprise: I painted the front door black and the garage door a taupe color that is close to the siding on the side of the house. Someone asked if the house was small-- it's actually a little bigger than it looks (to me, anyway 
It is about 1800 sq ft. The inside is actually quite nice, it has a nice little loft and an open and airy floorplan. The outside, however!!! Someone sent me a picture of a design that they came up with-- I wondered what your guy's opinions of it were? They actually widened the front ?stoop/stairs? area and I think it looks much better. Somehow what she designed seem to make the window side of the front of the house a bit more balanced instead of it seeming like the garage is bigger than the house! What do you guys think of the very large flower bed? The way she designed it would split the front yard--- not sure if that's a good thing or if I should push it back more towards the road? Also, what do you guys say about shutters and maybe an window box? Not sure if that would look weird with the style of the home?
It is about 1800 sq ft. The inside is actually quite nice, it has a nice little loft and an open and airy floorplan. The outside, however!!! Someone sent me a picture of a design that they came up with-- I wondered what your guy's opinions of it were? They actually widened the front ?stoop/stairs? area and I think it looks much better. Somehow what she designed seem to make the window side of the front of the house a bit more balanced instead of it seeming like the garage is bigger than the house! What do you guys think of the very large flower bed? The way she designed it would split the front yard--- not sure if that's a good thing or if I should push it back more towards the road? Also, what do you guys say about shutters and maybe an window box? Not sure if that would look weird with the style of the home?Attachments
Can you tell me what you mean by faux stain? Do you mean like one of the gel wood stains-- like The General Gel Stain? I did paint the garage a sort of a darker taupe/tan color that matches the brick and siding on the house. I wonder if the faux stain would work over the color I have it now. Also, what color would you suggest?
I've also thought about painting that front rain spout. The white just looks like an eyesore!
I've also thought about painting that front rain spout. The white just looks like an eyesore!
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A good way to add some colour there would be a small picket style fence or sections of same.
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Himilce, if you want to call someone who wrote, back to your thread, just click on "quote" at the bottom of the post. Then write your question and press save at the bottom.:wink2: They will get a notification.
The widening of the steps in the suggestions picture is a really nice touch, along with the broadening of the sidewalk off the driveway. I would use pavers in a smooth curve.
The flowers add a perfect touch, but would only be in bloom a few weeks of the year. I would not tear out that much grass for shrubs though.
You don't have room on that window for shutters.
Leave the upper rake trim and fascia and window trim white, but paint the gutter downspouts a color that matches the brick.
The flowers add a perfect touch, but would only be in bloom a few weeks of the year. I would not tear out that much grass for shrubs though.
You don't have room on that window for shutters.
Leave the upper rake trim and fascia and window trim white, but paint the gutter downspouts a color that matches the brick.
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I like the landscaping suggestions, but I think it is overboard. Your front yard is on the small side and all that eats up too much lawn.
But in general, look around your neighborhood for appropriate ideas. See what the other houses have, that your house doesn't.
It's hard to tell from the photo, but your front door area looks to be set back from the front window and is very dark. If it on the north side of the house and in the shade most of the time, anything you can do to brighten it up would be good. Bright color paint front door, a colorful Welcome mat, etc.
But in general, look around your neighborhood for appropriate ideas. See what the other houses have, that your house doesn't.
It's hard to tell from the photo, but your front door area looks to be set back from the front window and is very dark. If it on the north side of the house and in the shade most of the time, anything you can do to brighten it up would be good. Bright color paint front door, a colorful Welcome mat, etc.
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Your huge flower bed idea is a turn off for a lot of people in my area. Some see that as a lot of yard work. It's easier to mow grass. It's also more of a blank canvas for people to imagine what they can do with it.
Try to keep your property clean and neat to appeal to the largest number of people. If you want to add some plants for color, do it in pots, flower boxes, or possibly a few annual plants in the existing beds. Don't over do it.
I would be more concerned about staging the interior of the house rather than the yards/exterior.
Try to keep your property clean and neat to appeal to the largest number of people. If you want to add some plants for color, do it in pots, flower boxes, or possibly a few annual plants in the existing beds. Don't over do it.
I would be more concerned about staging the interior of the house rather than the yards/exterior.
Thank you! I should have read all of the instructions before posting!:icon_redface:
Okay, here is an updated picture after we made the changes I had menitioned in my first post. Someone suggested a faux wood garage door. Do you guys think that would look better than what I already did? I want to appeal to the maximum amount of buyers. I was also thinking of painting the trim SW Anonymous grey to tone down the pink brick? I think I will tear up the small sidewalk and replace with a curved walk made of pavers. Thanks for suggesting that! Thank you to everyone for the suggestions!
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