Potential buyers’ first view and impression of properties for sale is from the curb as they arrive. About 40% of homebuyers conduct house searches online. The first online view is usually from the curb. An unimpressive or poor curb appeal can make them click right past the listing without considering an in-person inspection–let alone making an offer.
Curb appeal doesn’t have to be expensive. Clean, tidy, and well-kept is usually enough to attract buyers. In fact, overly designed and expensive curb appeals can be detrimental because buyers see a yard requiring too much upkeep after they move in.
Houses with great curb appeal usually sell quicker. They attract more buyers and spend less time on the market. Fear of missing out (FOMO) motivates buyers to make an offer quicker. A bidding war may even start.
Well-kept homes and yards give the potential buyer confidence that the interior of the house and its operating systems–plumbing, heating, electrical, etc.–are also in good shape. Upgrades that add to curb appeal give buyers fewer reasons to make lower offers because they do not have to spend money fixing up the property.
Great curb appeal improves your negotiating position. Buyers feel that you are selling because you want to–not because you have to. Or that you have given up on home maintenance.
Buyers pay an average of 7% more for homes with strong attractive curb appeal. About 50% of millennial and Gen Z home buyers consider curb appeal a significant factor when purchasing a home.
The Importance of Great Curb Appeal
The old saying that you only get one chance to make a first impression is especially important when it comes to selling your home. First impressions last. Most real estate agents–up to 92%–recommend improving curb appeal before listing your home for sale. If you can’t entice potential buyers to the house, you can’t sell it. Some of the benefits of curb appeal include:
- Quicker Sales. Great curb appeal draws more serious buyers.
- Increased Property Value. Curb appeal upgrades increase a property’s perceived value by up to 11% plus the money invested in improving curb appeal usually results in close to 100% return on investment.
- Positive First Impression. Buyers subconsciously assume the entire property is an extension of the curb appeal your house presents–good, bad, or ugly.
- Competitive Edge. Improves your chances of selling when compared to properties with less attractive curb appeal.
