When selling a property, you want to get the best value for it while keeping a ceiling on your renovation budget. After all, you want to be able to make enough of a profit to buy your next rental property to add to your real estate investment portfolio. Here, we will help you with our top picks of simple ways to add curb appeal to your listing without breaking the bank!
7 Easy Ways to Add Curb Appeal to Your Listing
Curb appeal is the first impression that a potential buyer gets when evaluating your property. Here are some ways to spruce up the exterior and add curb appeal to your listing:
Install a porch swing
A porch swing may not be for everyone! But, there’s definitely something about having it as an exterior element on your porch that gives an inviting and homey vibe. With many options for porch swings available, you can DIY it or simply buy one through Amazon for as little as $60.
Having a porch swing just screams good times from afar! For property buyers, this may be just the extra pinch of salt that they need to place an offer.
Plant a tree
Did you know that trees can increase your property value by up to 9% and a single tree can result in a 2% increase on its own?
Planting a tree may not be your go-to option when sprucing up your investment property for selling. However, it’s among the most basic and instantaneous transformers of home exteriors. Consider planting 4 to 5-year-old trees; the cost is moderate, and the effect is immediate.
Tip: When planting a tree, make sure to give it enough space to grow. Keep in mind that you’re making a home for that tree for the next few decades!
Vinyl sidings revamp
Vinyl sidings are everywhere nowadays. Of course, many property buyers and homeowners prefer real wood to plastic vinyl sidings. However, it makes a lot of sense that this chic, uniformed cover is what every property needs for weatherproofing and curb appeal!
A great way to check how your investment property’s vinyl sidings look is to take a walk around your neighborhood. You can compare your neighbors’ curb appeal and vinyl sidings and while you’re at it, you can see what other elements your property is missing and how you can add property value. Is the property buyer going to be disappointed or excited when walking down the pathway to your front door?
In many cases, a paint job can do wonders for exterior walls. The best colors for investment properties are not set in stone. Bright and popping colors receive good attention from property buyers and real estate investors in general. Of course, trends change over time. So, painting the vinyl with a less controversial color option is the best bet. You are better off painting it beige or gray than a screaming red!
Of course, beware of going over budget and spending more on a revamping project than it can give you as a return on investment.
Garage door makeover
For those looking for curb appeal on a budget, a garage door makeover should be the first on your list! It’s an easy hack on how to make your rental property more attractive whether you’re going to list it or not! We’ve all seen the basic beige or weight plastic garage doors that come along with every residential real estate development ever! What if I tell you that you don’t have to live with the mellow-looking garage door and you can revamp it for a fraction of the cost?
Lawn care
Whether you believe it or not, lawns are a big property seller. When you’re selling a property, think of the lawn as the carpet leading to your property. Is your lawn looking more brown than green? If it is, the quickest fix you can do before putting a property for sale to get some curb appeal on a budget is getting your lawn spray-painted. There are many eco-friendly options that you can make use of without feeling guilty!
Roof cleaning
You might be thinking, “What are you talking about? How can I clean my roof?” Well, my friend, where there’s a will, there’s a way! You might have never taken a look at the roof, other than inspecting leaks and simple maintenance. But if you look closely, you will notice discoloring and residue. This residue can be caused by fungi, dust, or chimney smoke. The quickest and simplest fix is power washing. Additionally, you can power wash entryways, decks, and patios for that fresh and new look and achieve curb appeal on a budget.
Outdoor living areas
According to this study, patios and outdoor living spaces are among the most profitable curb appeal ideas and can bring more than 12% in return when selling the property. Making a patio may not be as easy as painting the garage, but for that 12%, it’s definitely worth it!
Does Curb Appeal Affect Appraisal and Add Home Value?
Humans are visual creatures; we like what our eyes like. When walking into a property for sale, property buyers are looking for something that visually speaks to them. Accordingly, real estate investors and real estate agents believe that landscaping and curb appeal enhancing can bring the return on investment to 150%, and quite often even more!
Now, when a property appraiser is inspecting the property, he/she will factor in the exterior as much as the interior. Of course, asking yourself whether curb appeal is worth the investment or not is a great starting point for you to decide which projects to do and which ones to nix. Some experts believe that general landscaping and improvement can bring the property value up by 25%.
Final Thoughts
There are many different curb appeal ideas for those of you trying to sell properties and get the best value. It’s important to take a look at these curb appeal ideas as home selling tips. The outside is just as important as the inside. After all, it’s all about making money in real estate and getting as much return on investment as you can when selling!
What have you done to up the curb appeal on your property? Which of these ideas do you think you’ll use next time you’re selling a property?
Once you sell your rental property, you’ll need to find your next money-making investment. Learn how Mashvisor can help.