Top Tips To Maximise Your Kerb Appeal

When buyers come to look at your property, first impressions count!  

They may not even be coming to view the house, they may simply be out walking the dog or taking the kids to school, but if your house has a For Sale board outside and isn’t looking as pretty as it could, this potential buyer may, literally, walk on by. 

Perhaps even more importantly, the front on your property is likely to be the lead image that is shown on the property portals. If this doesn’t look inviting, fewer people will click to learn more. 

Not only that, in a survey of 1,337 UK homeowners, 68% stated that kerb appeal was an important factor when forming their initial impressions.

So, here are our top tips to maximise your kerb appeal: 

The Front Door Is Surprisingly Important 

When looking at your house for the first time, research has shown that the front door is subconsciously the focal point of buyer’s attention.  

Giving your front door a lick of paint or varnish will give it an instant face lift. 

For UPVC or composite doors, specialist cleaning products can be bought for as little as £5 and only require a little bit of elbow grease. 

Don’t forget to polish up any metal work such as letterboxes, door handles or house numbers. If they are a little worse for wear, consider replacing them. Great deals can be found online! 

Scrub That Driveway! 

If you are lucky enough to have a driveway or any paved area in the front of your property, it’s surprising how much dirt they can pick up over the years. 

Ideally, give them a brush up and then a clean with a jet washer and it will give it a new lease of life!

Remember The Boundaries 

Buyers will be curious where your property ends and the neighbour’s begins. Make it obvious and attractive. 

Re-varnish fence panels, paint some metal work (respraying is easier if you’re careful!) and make sure gates work properly and are free from annoying squeaks. Trim hedges and plants that are part of your property.  

Have You Got A Green Thumb? 

Don’t worry if you haven’t! I’ve seen owners buy inexpensive hanging baskets with plastic flowers that look almost indistinguishable from the real thing and really brightened the place up. That along with potted plants can be a nice easy way to bring some colour to your property. 

If you have a lawn, make sure it’s kept nice and tidy with trimmed edging and all grass cuttings and fallen leaves cleaned away. 

Weeds are a big no! 

Want To Go A Step Further? 

Even though the pavement and road outside your property is technically the council’s responsibility, sweeping it up, spraying some weed killer and ensuring it’s neat and tidy will add to enhance your property. 

If a neighbouring property is looking a bit tired, offer to help them spruce the place a little. I’ve even known property investors paint the neighbouring house (with their permission, of course!) to make theirs look more appealing! When buyers come to look at your property, first impressions count!  

They may not even be coming to view the house, they may simply be out walking the dog or taking the kids to school, but if your house has a For Sale board outside and isn’t looking as pretty as it could, this potential buyer may, literally, walk on by. 

Perhaps even more importantly, the front on your property is likely to be the lead image that is shown on the property portals. If this doesn’t look inviting, fewer people will click to learn more. 

Not only that, in a survey of 1,337 UK homeowners, 68% stated that kerb appeal was an important factor when forming their initial impressions.

So, here are our top tips to maximise your kerb appeal: 

The Front Door Is Surprisingly Important 

When looking at your house for the first time, research has shown that the front door is subconsciously the focal point of buyer’s attention.  

Giving your front door a lick of paint or varnish will give it an instant face lift. 

For UPVC or composite doors, specialist cleaning products can be bought for as little as £5 and only require a little bit of elbow grease. 

Don’t forget to polish up any metal work such as letterboxes, door handles or house numbers. If they are a little worse for wear, consider replacing them. Great deals can be found online! 

Scrub That Driveway! 

If you are lucky enough to have a driveway or any paved area in the front of your property, it’s surprising how much dirt they can pick up over the years. 

Ideally, give them a brush up and then a clean with a jet washer and it will give it a new lease of life!

Remember The Boundaries 

Buyers will be curious where your property ends and the neighbour’s begins. Make it obvious and attractive. 

Re-varnish fence panels, paint some metal work (respraying is easier if you’re careful!) and make sure gates work properly and are free from annoying squeaks. Trim hedges and plants that are part of your property.  

Have You Got A Green Thumb? 

Don’t worry if you haven’t! I’ve seen owners buy inexpensive hanging baskets with plastic flowers that look almost indistinguishable from the real thing and really brightened the place up. That along with potted plants can be a nice easy way to bring some colour to your property. 

If you have a lawn, make sure it’s kept nice and tidy with trimmed edging and all grass cuttings and fallen leaves cleaned away. 

Weeds are a big no! 

Want To Go A Step Further? 

Even though the pavement and road outside your property is technically the council’s responsibility, sweeping it up, spraying some weed killer and ensuring it’s neat and tidy will add to enhance your property. 

If a neighbouring property is looking a bit tired, offer to help them spruce the place a little. I’ve even known property investors paint the neighbouring house (with their permission, of course!) to make theirs look more appealing!