Find Out How to Boost Curb Appeal, Add Charm & Attract More Buyers
Curb appeal can make a lovely house extraordinary and outstanding. From pictures and listings to tours and open houses, curb appeal is the first thing prospective homebuyers notice — and that first impression can go a long way toward enticing more buyers and offers sooner. It could even enchant buyers into bidding wars, possibly getting you more than expected!
No matter what type of home you’re selling, here are some tips for beautifying the exterior of a house to make the most of its curb appeal.
10 Tips for Maximizing Curb Appeal When Selling a House in Texas
Like any home updates you make before you list a house, you can scale these tips up or down, based on your time, your budget, and your intended asking price. Even with small budgets and less time, there’s still plenty that can be done to spruce up the outside of a house and truly accentuate its curb appeal.
1. Clean and manicure first.
Before you add anything, start with a fresh space. That can mean:
- Pressure washing the exterior of a house to get rid of dirt, grime, and any unsightly growth.
- Sweeping and/or removing debris from walkways, steps, and porches.
- Mowing the lawn, weed whacking, and trimming the hedges.
- Trimming trees (with the help of professionals) if there’s a lot of overhang, especially if that’s blocking attractive architectural features of a home.
- Cleaning windows and exterior lighting, replacing bulbs if needed.
- Tidying up front porch areas.
This cleanup alone could do wonders for the curb appeal. It also gives you an ideal blank canvas to dress up with the tips that follow.
2. Give the front door a glow-up.
Replace the front door or consider painting it. Ideally, you want your front door to pop, with a color that complements the house while still standing out. Additionally, you can make the entrance to your home more appealing with:
- New or newly painted trim
- Updated or clean hardware
If you have the home address posted on the house, cleaning or replacing that hardware is generally a smart move too. If the address is not on the house by the front door, consider adding it.
3. Dress up the windows.
Windows should be attractive inside and out, adding a glittering reflective look with sufficient security and insulation. To make your windows enhance curb appeal, you can:
- Update or paint the trim, using a color that matches or contrasts the home’s exterior
- Add, replace, or paint shutters, applying the same color as the trim
- Add window boxes, with colorful, easy-to-care-for plants and flowers
Keep in mind that if a home’s windows are damaged or outdated, dressing them up may not be the best move. It can end up looking like you’re trying to hide problems, especially if there are obvious signs of damage that have not been repaired.
4. Decorate the porch or entranceway.
Add some outdoor furnishings and thoughtful touches around the entrance or porch. This could include items like (and not limited to):
- Exterior seating, like chairs, benches, and swings
- Outdoor tables, such as patio tables and end tables
- Rugs, throw pillows, and durable blankets to add a cozy feel
Décor at the front door can create a pleasant, attractive scene that sparks interest and gets buyers curious about what’s inside.
5. Add a pop-up “garden.”
More greenery can add vibrance and a fresh splash of color to the exterior of a house, enhancing curb appeal while adding a crisp, natural element that enhances depth and brightness. With these pop-up gardens, you can use or include:
- Colorful pots
- Resilient plants, like succulents
- Flowers and vines
- Small ornaments, like orbs, decorative rocks, or even gnomes
These mini gardens can be a welcoming addition to entranceways and porches, as well as walkways or paths that lead up to a home.
6. Put in strategic lighting.
Lighting can illuminate the gorgeous features of a house while providing some extra security at night. To install thoughtful lighting, consider adding accent lights to or around:
- Trees
- Walkways
- Gates and garages
- Eye-catching architectural features of a home
Solar lights and motion-activated lighting can both be great options for boosting curb appeal, and there are plenty of DIY options out there. So, you don’t have to rewire the exterior of the house to add some nice lighting.
7. Revamp the mailbox.
The mailbox can be easy to overlook, but it can also work in your favor in terms of curb appeal if you have a nice-looking mailbox area that “matches” the house. In fact, you can update the mailbox with fresh or new:
- Paint
- Address stenciling or stickers
- Landscaping around the mailbox
You can even set up a flower box around the mailbox, giving you extra space to plant flowers to make this area as attractive as possible.
8. Install decorative fencing or arbors.
Fences, gates, and arbors can add a picturesque finish to a house, framing it with bright enclosures that:
- Define the property, clearly showing the boundaries and perimeters
- Enhance both security and the sense of privacy offered by a house
- Add more color that can complement the exterior and overall scene
Keep in mind that you don’t have to hire professionals or spend a ton to add these features. There are options for DIYers, including prefabricated fence kits.
9. Add or replace the welcome mat.
Welcome mats are a small, thoughtful touch that can make a house feel more like a home. While you can go with a simple “Welcome” message on a new mat, you could also:
- Select a mat that’s seasonal or features a fun message.
- Create a more permanent “mat” with stone, tile, or cement.
- Pair a welcome mat with a flag or inviting sign by the door.
Beyond looking nice and being inviting, welcome mats can also help keep dust, dirt, and mud outside, so less is tracked through a house by touring buyers.
10. Get festive.
Decorate for the season, using a light touch and tasteful seasonal décor. Some ideas include:
- Christmas lights around entranceways during the holidays
- Pumpkins and gourds lining pathways to a house around Halloween and Thanksgiving
- Flags, positive signs, or elegant yard décor during spring and summertime
A nod to the season can be as fun as it is welcoming for homebuyers.
Beyond Curb Appeal: What’s Next
Curb appeal is just one factor sellers need to address when it’s time to list and sell houses in Texas. After that, sellers will need to be prepared for showings, offers, negotiations, contract reviews, and more.
Whether you’re a buyer or seller navigating the process, you can get help and cash back at closing when you work with the experienced Realtors® at New Home Gurus.
We guide, advise, and support sellers and buyers through the home purchase process, assisting with offers, contingencies, negotiations, and closing. Plus, we’ll split our commission with you at closing.
Home sellers and buyers who work with New Home Gurus can get back an average of $4,500 to $12,000 at closing.
How Much Cash Can You Get After Closing?
Call (281) 668-8124 or Contact Us to Find Out Now
We are standing by, ready to answer your questions and explain the details of our commission-sharing program.