We are working on a higher end flip (finished price of $525K which is above average for Baltimore Co) in a very solid family neighborhood. Our house lacks curb appeal. We plan to paint, put on new shutters, remove the fence and shrubs at the sidewalk, remove the pachysandra at the driveway and clean up the landscaping. I am debating whether or not to take out two very large poplar trees right at the front door. The trees are healthy (so not a hazard), but they completely obstruct the sight lines from the street to the front door. I'd rather not spend the $3200 to remove them if I don't have to, but no doubt it will improve the curb appeal. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Real Estate Agent · Grand Junction, CO · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 736 votes
7y
NO! If you feel you need to do something curbside to draw attention to the house then create a second pathway to the mailbox (and a really nice / cute mailbox) or dress up that wishing well - but don't kill the trees. I would definitely consider a different paint color scheme however. Light gray siding - white trim - dark gray shutters - bright red door.
Real Estate Agent · Grand Junction, CO · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 736 votes
7y
NO! If you feel you need to do something curbside to draw attention to the house then create a second pathway to the mailbox (and a really nice / cute mailbox) or dress up that wishing well - but don't kill the trees. I would definitely consider a different paint color scheme however. Light gray siding - white trim - dark gray shutters - bright red door.
I agree with Teri. You can 'brighten' up the house with paint. You can also remove a couple of the shrubs right next to the house so they look less like a hedge. The trees will shade the house in the summer.
Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
7y
Hi Laura,
I personally prefer to live in house with no trees blocking it's view from the front yard, but a lot of people (as you can see from the posts) like trees in the yard (some like the house almost totally obfuscated and will plant even more).
So if it were mine, I'd leave the trees for that reason, and just darken the shutters to a dark chocolate color, leave the paint as is (if it's in average condition), leave the fake well because it seems to match the structure and not detract from it (if new owners don't like it they can remove it easily) and take the shrubs down to foundation height to make the house look bigger.
But if I were living there myself, those trees would be firewood for that fireplace (something your Realtor could point out to prospective buyers). Firewood is costly.
I like the detached garage. This looks like a nice desirable home for a nice family.
I also like the color, with the bricks it ties the structure together as one mass vs separate parts. It looks tasteful to me.
Developer · Dallas, TX · Member since 2015 · 84 posts · 79 votes
7y
@Laura Clark
I Hate trees on property. The roots eventually grow into the plumbing and /or your foundation.
Do the best you can to fit it in the budget. See what the cost would be to chop them into firewood and have them out into that shed as another perk for your end buyer. If you can't swing it, it's no biggie but I don't blame you for wanting to get rid of them.
Investor · Rapid City, SD · Member since 2018 · 47 posts · 5 votes
7y
We are working on two properties right now that have the same problem. We ended up cutting down the trees and the homes look a ton better. I would find someone to do it for a lot less or do it yourself.