Some of us remember our grandparents saying, “l’abito non fa il monaco,” a proverb that roughly translates to, “the robe does not make the monk.” It’s the Italian version of the expression “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
While our grandparents were right when it comes to people, there are a few times when the monk does get judged by his robes. Our homes are one of them, especially when we put them on the market. If you want your home to get judged rightly, avoid these things that are hurting your home’s curb appeal.
The State of Your Yard
Between keeping your house clean for showings and managing paperwork, you have a lot on your plate when you’re selling your home. So, it’s easy to let the yard go. Unfortunately, an unkempt yard and garden can make a home feel neglected and unpleasant, which doesn’t make a great first impression.
During your other real estate related chores, try to make time for some yard work, like:
- Mowing the lawn
- Pulling weeds
- Putting down mulch
- Pruning bushes and trees
- Removing dead plants
Plants aren’t the only things you need to tend to in your yard. Your hardscape—the non-living parts of your garden—will also need to look pristine. Consider taking the time to refinish the deck, repair the steps, and replace old, decrepit lawn ornaments.
Fading Paint
It doesn’t matter if your home is only a few years old. If you have an old, damaged paint job, your house will look significantly older. Worse, it will look shabby and dirty. Fortunately, all it takes is a fresh coat of paint to boost your home’s curb appeal.
Keep in mind that when you’re selling your home, your goal is to depersonalize. In other words, you want it to be the sort of house that anyone can imagine themselves in. So, avoid particularly quirkily or eclectic color schemes in favor of something with universal appeal.
Protip: Don’t Forget the Doors
The door is the gateway to the home. Having freshly painted front and garage doors will make the house seem infinitely more inviting.
Dirt and Clutter
You spend a lot of time cleaning your home’s interior when you’re getting ready for a showing. But neglecting to clean the outside of the house is one of the easiest ways to hurt your home’s curb appeal. Cleaning your exterior may include:
- Washing your windows
- Cleaning out your garage
- Replacing old trash cans
- Putting toys in the shed
- Power washing your driveway
We shouldn’t judge a book by its cover or a monk by his robes. But we can still make sure our homes look our best when we put them up on the market.
