How does curb appeal affect home value?

You've probably heard the phrase “first impressions matter, and that's true, especially when selling a home. According to a study conducted by Michigan State University, a home with a landscape design and reduced effort on sight can increase the perceived value of a home by 5 to 11%. Curb appeal can also sell a house faster. You only have one chance to impress potential buyers enough to get them to walk through the front door.

However, increasing curb appeal doesn't just attract people. Adding curb appeal is a great way to increase the resale value of your home. Estimates vary, but in the area of St. Louis, for example, Hermann London real estate agents often see that the return on investment (ROI) in exterior improvements and landscaping starts at 150% and often exceeds it.

For a relatively low cost, you can increase the appraised value of your home with low-cost, high-yield investments in garden and outdoor improvements. Many people who are going through a difficult time and need to sell quickly will skip the curb appeal and this could cost them tens of thousands of dollars or even cost them an entire sale. Curb appeal and real estate go hand in hand, especially when it comes to selling your house for the best price. You'll be amazed at how simply removing dirt, dust and grime accumulated on brickwork, siding, and walkways will instantly improve the curb appeal of your home.

By increasing your curb appeal, you'll create that initial interest that will get a potential buyer to put their foot in the door (often literally). As you're probably aware, real estate agents use the term “curb appeal” to describe what your home looks like when potential buyers see it initially. There are a lot of fun ways to increase your curb appeal that are aesthetically pleasing and that you might not even think about. Finding the entrance with lighting can make your home look more spectacular at night in an attractive way.

Sometimes, all that's needed is a good cleaning to remove dirt and moss, or a partial repair to address immediate problems and add great curb appeal. The curb appeal is how your home looks from the outside or from the street, and how attractive it is to anyone who visits or passes by by car. While patio features, such as gazebos and pergolas, are popular, it's not worth the expense of adding these elements just because of their curb appeal, of course. Whether you decide to turn your front yard into a landscape gardener's paradise or if you're just thinking of adding a few flowering plants, improving your landscaping can go a long way in increasing your outdoor appeal.

Often, the curb appeal creates a sense of enthusiasm in the buyer when they start walking to their front door, as they immediately imagine themselves “living here”. Depending on the material the doorway is made of, you might consider making some changes to increase your curb appeal.

Suzanne Richards
Suzanne Richards

Infuriatingly humble sushi aficionado. Unapologetic music expert. Professional analyst. General zombie ninja. Hardcore bacon advocate. Subtly charming internet guru.