Page 16 - Downsizing

9. ENTHUSIASM FOR

YOUR CURB

A buyer's enthusiasm for it need to be power-washed or

your house starts at the curb. even replaced?
• Are the gutters clean?

First impressions count — not only • Are the windows clean?

on dates and job interviews but also • Does the exterior need power-
when you're selling a house. If you washing, a paint job?

want to be appealing to buyers, then • Is the lawn well kept? Are there

you need to make sure your house bare spots?
has "curb appeal." • Are shrubs and trees trimmed?
• Are flower beds weeded?

Curb appeal isn't just about the • Are the walkways, driveway, and
outside of your house looking any patios or decks clean and in

attractive, it's about everything that good shape?

leads up to it — your landscaping,
walkways, driveway, decks, patios,

fencing...basically anything you can
see from the curb.

And it matters way before the buyer

even drives up to your house to see
it. It's usually the first image they

see when they're searching for

houses online, which is where most
As with interior repairs and
buyers are looking. The last thing
renovations, you shouldn't necessarily
you want is a buyer scrolling past
go overboard to enhance the curb
your house, let alone rolling past it
appeal. There's a fine line you don't
in a car because it lacks curb appeal.
want to cross. So make sure to consult

with a real estate agent for advice on
Here are some things you should
what you should and shouldn't do to
consider:
spruce up the outside of your house
• Does the roof look good? Or does prior to hitting the market.

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