Maximizing Curb Appeal

If you are contemplating putting your home on the market, one of the MOST important things you can do is to update your curb appeal! The outside of your home is the first thing that potential buyers see. It sets the stage for the inside of your home. If your bushes and and flower beds look shabby, and you have peeling paint buyers are going to be turned off right when they pull up. But putting a small amount to effort into the front of your home can reap major returns and increase your equity.

So, how should you approach a big job? – Well if you have the cash, hire a professional to come in and manicure your lawn and garden. But if you are low on cash, or just don’t like the idea of hiring someone to do something you could do yourself – keep reading.

Here are some tips to up your curb appeal:

• Walk your property through the eyes of a buyer (Is there siding that needs repaired? Do you have peeling paint? Maybe the paint is faded? Does your home look bland? What was the first thing you noticed about your home when YOU purchased it? – Highlight that.)
• Add pops of color – Inexpensive plants and flowers can add some much needed color to the front of your home. (You can also add color through paint, maybe on the shutters or door)
• Make sure bushes and trees are trimmed, and the grass is cut neatly (buyers don’t want to have to think about all the work it will require to make the front of the house pretty)
• Cut down or cut back trees that are too close to the house (these are things that will be flagged during the inspection).
• Water your grass! (Green grass is so pretty!)

Here’s what we did to our house in Plano to get it sold FAST!

~Happy Renovating~

Making An Impression

The front entryway is the first thing you see when you enter a home. This space makes the largest impact on guests. There are many beautiful ways to set up your entry space. I’ve seen some really beautiful photo collages, and built in benches, but our space is too small for either of those. In our home, there are beautiful stairs right when you open the door. I love the dark stair treads against the white risers, I love the dark railing and iron balusters. But, it still felt a little plain when you entered the front door. I just knew it was missing something.

Finding The Perfect Piece

So, this weekend I finally found the time to set the space up as I had envisioned it. I searched high and low and FINALLY found the perfect console table. It seriously took me 4 months to find this table. I knew I wanted a mirrored table, but I couldn’t find the style I wanted -glitzy and a little glamorous without being over the top. This beauty came from Home Goods. I anchored the space with a picture that fits the size of the table perfectly. The catchy geometric pattern on the lampshade draws the eye, and it’s accented with the plant and shiny chrome pineapple! I’m looking for some old books to put on the other side of the table. But in the meantime I love the way it turned out! What do you think?! What does your entry look like?

Happy Decorating!