You hear much about curb appeal when you're reading through real estate blogs, but what does that actually mean? Is it lots of colorful flowers or perfect landscaping? What about exterior artwork or a decorative mailbox?

What it’s not

So, you probably already have more than a general idea of what curb appeal is, but here is what it is not:

It isn’t your house sticking out like a sore thumb in the neighborhood. That means that if all your neighbors have upgraded landscaping and yours is the only one that has rocks and dirt or dead patches of grass, the folks that stop by to see your home will plan on getting it as a fixer-upper or at least at a steep discount.

It’s also not having tons of water features and garden gnomes on your front lawn. And while re-purposing a toilet to be a flower bed might garner you a second look from drivers-by, it won’t endear you to homebuyers. And it certainly isn’t add-ons that fail to match the rest of the exterior.

What it is

In real estate parlance, curb appeal means anything that adds to a home’s exterior and is visible from the street. From landscaping to roofing upgrades; new windows to concrete treatments the driveway and sidewalks, anything that visibly positively catches the eye increases its curb appeal.

How to get it

The first best way to get curb appeal is to keep what you already have. That is, keep your lawn, roof, siding, stucco or brick, fences, doors, and windows in top condition. Fix anything that breaks. Paint what needs painting. Repair the roof after a storm. Repair or replace a broken or damaged garage door. Water and trim the lawn or replace it with eco-friendly and attractive xeriscape. Handle all upkeep on a regular basis so that when the time comes to sell, you don't have a lot of refurbishing to do and can concentrate instead on those little "extras" that set your home just a little above the rest.

With all the regular stuff handled, you can spend a little bit more on adding colorful plants and planter boxes, painting the door a cheerful, inviting color, and perhaps changing out the carriage lights for something new. And when the curb appeal is well in hand, focus on the inside to get that top dollar return.

If you need help determining which items provide the most curb appeal in your neighborhood, reach out to a local realtor.

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