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Posted over 15 years ago

What Home Buyers See First

Regardless of whether you have spent the last ten years perfecting the interior of your Austin home, if the outside of your home looks less than desirable you may be hurting your chances for a quick sale.

The key to curb appeal is to attract buyers the moment they pull up or drive past. It should look neat, tidy and well cared for and, if possible, stand out from the other homes in the neighborhood.

Many Austin real estate home buyers will automatically assume that an unkempt front yard equals an unkempt home, and that is certainly not the impression that any seller wants to portray.

  1. The first thing you should consider when tackling your Austin home’s curb appeal is the lawn. Make sure the lawn is neat and, if possible, free of weeds. Your plant and flower beds should also be edged out nicely and be free of weeds. Quite possibly the easiest and most inexpensive way to spruce up your plant and flower beds is to mulch them. Mulch gives the beds a polished, finished look and gives your front yard an instant facelift.
  2. Stand at the curb and closely examine all of the trees to see if they are blocking the front of your home or hanging down too low. You should be able to easily trim back any dangling branches, although if overgrown trees are a big problem in your front yard, you may want to consider using the services of a professional tree company.
  3. Your driveway and walkway should be even, clear of debris and free of cracks. A blacktop driveway is easy to patch yourself; however, cracks in concrete may require the help of a professional.
  4. Your front door is often the focal point of the front of your home, so make sure that you have updated hardware. Switching out old hardware for something more modern can make a huge difference in the appearance of your door. A fresh coat of paint also does wonders.
  5. Make sure the paint on your shutters and house trim is in good condition, and that there is no fading or peeling. This may be a good time to give your shutters and trim a fresh coat of paint, as well.
  6. Finish off your curb appeal project by placing colorful annuals near the front door, and top off the area with a pretty wreath

For additional home seller and Austin Market updates, visit our Austin real estate blog.


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