Curb Appeal - What You Should Know

You frequently hear the term "curb appeal" (how attractive and well kept your yard and front of your home appears) thrown around when a home is for sale, but even if you are not selling, It's the first impression your home gives to guests and passers-by alike. It is not necessary to do an extensive remodel to make your approach more attractive, whether you are in traditional housing or a manufactured home. What does matter when you are considering making improvements to your property's curb appeal? We have broken it down into four main steps for you.

The fundamentals: Make sure the front of your home is clean, sound ,and in good repair. The function of curb appeal is not to plant a large bush in front of that moldy siding so no one will notice - it is to enhance the condition and appearance of your home and optimize its appearance. Check and repair or replace any trim that is loose, moldy or otherwise compromised. Caulk around windows if needed and give all paintable trim, eaves, rain gutters, etc., a fresh coat. If they can't be painted, you might consider a power wash to freshen things up. If you have shutters, paint them a complementary color to add interest. Your front door is an opportunity to add a pop of fun color that gets the house noticed and reflects your personality. A vibrant red is always a safe bet, but the recent trend has been toward jewel tones like turquoise, orange, and even purple. Just make sure that you choose a color with a harmonious contrast to the existing colors. If you have a wooden porch or railings, tighten, sand, re-stain and treat with a waterproofing product.

The Yard: Inspect your lawn: Keep it mowed regularly. You may need to power rake or thatch it as well. Fill in any bare spots with sod or seed. If starting grass seed, choose a variety that is best suited for your climate. Here in the west, Kentucky bluegrass is a safe bet. It has a hardy blade that is more drought resistant and grows as well in shade as in sun. Add some fertilizer and water and in no time it will appear more lush and green. Trim edges and treat for weeds if needed. Consider adding railroad ties, formed concrete or other substantial edging between the grass and the gardens, but be careful not to choose dated materials like small wire arches or cheap plastic edging.

Flower beds: Nothing says "nobody cares about me" like a weed-filled flower bed. After an initial weeding you may want to consider investing in some black weed-block fabric and fit it into your flower beds. DIY TIP: Cut thin wire coat hangers into 6" lengths. Bend the segments into "U" shapes and push through the edges of the weed-block and into the soil to hold it in place. Make sure to go close to edges and corners and overlap separate pieces to ensure it all stays put. Cover with whatever suits your taste - river rock, bark chips, red lava pebbles, or pea gravel work well in flower beds along walkways and help keep things looking neat. Replace any dog-eared or dying plants, and consider buying a few more mature flowering plants to give the feeling that it's a well maintained older garden.  Bushes are a great way to add texture. You may want to add some larger landscape rocks for dimension.

The Jewelry: This is the layer that brings it all to life. Consider updating your porch lights. Add decorative hardware to your shutters, or even a wooden window box. Invest in some larger, updated address numbers, and place them as you would an art piece. Place a grouping of clay pots in complementary shapes and colors on the front corners of the porch or near the door. Or place a row of potted flowers down one side of your steps if they are wide enough to handle it. You may want to build an enclosure or wall of some type to hide the trash cans from view. Make sure your mailbox is a style that is appropriate to the house and paint or polish it if needed. Keep accessories like flags, banners, birdhouses, flamingos, etc to a minimum. One well placed item makes a greater impression than a dozen items. Adding several inconspicuous solar lights among the landscaping will make your yard as attractive at night as during the day.

So there you have it. Follow these steps and you will find that you are in love with your home all over again, and it will feel equally as inviting to friends who visit or pass by. You will enjoy looking at it as you drive up, and whether you are selling, or settling in for the long haul, you can take pride in your home again.

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