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You’ve slaved to get the inside of your home perfect with new paint and power cleaning, but the first thing a prospective renter will see is the outside. Also, people who might not even know they’re prospective renters could drive by and say, “Look at that great house!” To get them in the door, you’ve got to have curb appeal, and we’ve assembled a simple how-to to help you get it.
Get it clean
To make your house stand out, make it sparkle and shine. Clean the windows from the outside as well as in. If you have siding, you can give it new life by pressure washing it yourself or hiring a service to do it for you. Also, pressure-wash concrete surfaces to remove stains.
Remove any unnecessary items or debris from carports, porches, sides and the back of your house. Prospective renters won’t just be considering your house from head on. Sooner or later, they will want to explore, so make sure they have 360 degrees of unobstructed perfection.
Paint
If pressure washing doesn’t revive your siding or if you have a wood exterior or wooden eaves, accents, etc., you might want to repaint. New paint (done properly) can add instant youth and appeal to your house.
Your front door is the literal portal to your home, so make sure it’s looking good. Give it a fresh coat if the color is unappealing or faded. If need be, don’t hesitate to replace the entire door for one that will give your house the competitive edge.
Don’t forget to check the condition of your mailbox and porch railings. If the paint is currently faded or peeling, spruce it up fast with a few coats of fresh color.
The yard
Your lawn may take up the majority of real estate in your yard, so get it healthy. Apply weed killer, reseed or lay sod to create an eye-catching sea of green.
Add contrast and color in your yard with bright flowers. Be sure to spruce up all your beds with the addition of fresh pine straw or wood chips.
Accents
You can add personality and interest to your yard with accents, but don’t over do it. Getting too cute or cumbersome with garden figures can undermine your style. Keep it sophisticated with practical accents like a box to coil and cover your garden hose, a simple water feature or potted plants on the front porch.
Lights are another way to perk up your yard’s personality. You can line the path to your door or create dramatic effects with accent lighting. There are plenty of do it yourself lighting kits on the market, including many solar options.
You only get one chance to make a first impression, and your home’s no different. With a little effort and some thought, you can create an impressive curb-side look for your home that will make potential renters enthusiastic about renting from you.