The Importance of Kerb Appeal: First Impressions That Sell Homes

Judging a book by its cover isn’t necessarily something to shy away from. The exterior of a property, commonly referred to as “kerb appeal”, is often the first thing potential buyers see, and it can set the tone for the entire viewing experience. YouGov reported that 68% of homeowners admitted kerb appeal played a crucial part in their most recent choice of home.

When listing a home, harnessing the power of a first impression can drastically change the selling process.

Here we’ll take a peek at the most important contributors to good kerb appeal, whilst also looking at alternative ways to speed up a sale before the viewer has even set foot on the driveway.

Landscaping

A well-landscaped front garden could add 20% to a property’s value, making it a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to elevate their kerb appeal.

With front garden renovations clocking in at £2,500-£4000, other cost-effective options exist for those without capital to invest. Consider adding simple, low-maintenance plants to provide year-round greenery. Simple tasks, like mowing the lawn and adding bursts of colour with seasonal flowers also go a long way.

Exterior Cleaning and Maintenance

Front garden or not, buyers are more likely to suspect potential maintenance issues if a home looks ill-cared for from the outside.

Power-washing driveways and patios is a cost-effective way to immediately make a large proportion of the outdoor space sparkling and well-kept. With a front door being the first feature a potential buyer will touch, new paint and polished house numbers can make a lasting difference.

Voted by 71% of UK homebuyers, well-kept windows are considered the most important contributor to kerb appeal. Flakes of paint and signs of rot on a window’s exterior can quickly degrade a viewer’s confidence in the property before they’ve even made it inside. So it’s worth giving them some extra love and care.

Alternatives

Not every homeowner has the resources to make these improvements. An alternative to boosting a home’s kerb appeal is, quite simply, to do none and turn to an online property sales platform.

In instances where an effortless sale is a priority, these services allow a homeowner to sell their house without the cost of extensive upgrades, agency commission and legal fees.

There are no hidden costs. The service keeps the surplus if the house sells for higher than the agreed price. But the homeowner always receives the value they wanted from the sale.

Looking beyond our own façades is also important when considering kerb appeal. Because, what if your neighbours don’t follow suit? According to a report by Nextdoor, a staggering 94% believe it important to have neighbours with good kerb appeal.

Many streets have addressed this by forming residents’ associations. These work to collectively enhance kerb appeal beyond their own homes and into the features of the street itself, such as flower boxes on the pavements, street art and tree planting.

This can be a cheaper way to improve not only the price of homes in the neighbourhood but also the quality of life where they live.

Conclusion

Landscaping and exterior maintenance can markedly improve a homeowner’s selling experience. And while first impressions are everything, there are always other ways to sell a home fast.

EAN Content

Content shared by this account is either news shared free by third parties or sponsored (paid for) content from third parties. Please be advised that links to third party websites are not endorsed by Estate Agent Networking - Please do your own research before committing to any third party business promoted on our website. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Homebuyers saving over £4,000 in SDLT despite increase

Homebuyers saving over £4,000 in stamp duty despite threshold increase, by opting for this particular property type The latest research from over-50s property specialists, Regency Living, reveals that homebuyers opting for a park home instead of a traditional bricks-and-mortar property are an average of £4,316 better off due to not having to pay Stamp Duty…
Read More
Breaking News

Industry reacts to latest Gov HousePrice Index

The latest index shows that: – The average monthly rate of house price growth in May rebounded to 1.1% following the -2.7% decline seen in between March and  April. The average annual rate of house price growth in May was up 3.9%. As a result, the average UK house price is now £269,000.   Colleen…
Read More
Cozy Pet Cat Tree Grey
Breaking News

Renter’s Rights Bill pet u-turn creates more questions than answers

The latest U-turn in the Renter’s Rights Bill (RRB) concerning pet ownership may temporarily protect landlords from the cost of pet-related damage, but it leaves major questions unanswered, warns Inventory Base, the UK’s leading property inspection platform. As confusion grows around whether the proposed pet deposit amendment will pass, the industry is left in limbo,…
Read More
Breaking News

Landlords See Higher Net Returns

Landlords See Higher Net Returns Despite Rising Start-Up Costs and Falling Buy-to-Let Incomes New research from Dwelly, one of the UK’s leading lettings acquisition and success planning experts, reveals that, despite an increase in start-up costs and a reduction in total buy-to-let income, the average UK landlord has seen an improvement in net returns when…
Read More
Breaking News

London lettings market gains momentum in June

London lettings market buoyed by surge in supply and growing renter activity, Foxtons data shows   Heightened rental activity in June, with applicant registrations rising 21% month-on-month Supply surged to its strongest level in four years, with almost 45,000 new listings recorded in June, an 18% increase on May   Average weekly rent climbed 1%…
Read More
Breaking News

The Renters’ Rights Bill edges ever closer to becoming law

Changes to overhaul the private rented sector across England have been a long-held ambition from Labour and has paved the way for the planned introduction of the Renters’ Rights Bill. Over the last twelve months the legislation has been working its way through Westminster and has been subject to oversight and debate within the House…
Read More