Have you heard the saying "you don't judge a book by its cover"? Well... when it comes to selling your home that is generally not the case. Buyers will absolutely judge your home based on its initial appearance, and if things don't look great on the outside they won't bother to step inside to see the rest. This is why 'curb appeal' – how your home looks from the street – is so important when trying to sell your home. Below we'll share advice on curb appeal in San Diego and how you can sell your home before a buyer steps foot inside.

Understanding Why Curb Appeal is Important

The external appearance of your home gives a potential buyer a lot of clues about the property. If it appears that you have taken pride in owning your home, then it is far more likely to have been properly maintained over the years. Your curb appeal also speaks volumes about your relationship with your neighbors and the local community on your block or street; if your home looks significantly worse than the surrounding properties, it will seem that you've been out of touch with the community.

Getting the 'Neighborhood Feel'

Speaking of neighborhoods, you'll want to ensure that your home fits in with the community's décor. If you live in an area where the homes generally look the same, it will be beneficial to blend in with the others' appearance. It likely goes without saying that you'll want to avoid simply copying what the houses next to you are doing in regards to landscaping and renovations; just ensure that your home fits in with the rest.

Aim for Inexpensive, High-Impact Upgrades

There are a number of inexpensive upgrades that you can perform prior to selling your house that will drastically boost your curb appeal. Resurfacing your driveway will give it a fresh, healthy appearance. Consider a fresh coat of paint for anything that needs it – doors, window sills, the home's exterior and more. New doorknobs and fixtures for the front door will look great and won't be rough on the pocketbook.

Don't Forget the Landscaping

Finally you'll want to ensure that your yard, gardens and tree or shrub lines look crisp and inviting. The grass should be trimmed to perfection, the weeds taken out and healthy flowers planted in their place. Landscaping is a task enjoyed by many, but should you become frustrated you can delegate it to a professional.

If you're stuck for ideas on how to boost your curb appeal, we're here to help. Give the Whissel Realty team a call and we'll show you why we're one of the top real estate teams in El Cajon and the Greater San Diego area. To learn more about the home sales process and a few tips and tricks on how to get the most out of it, don't miss our eBook The Definitive Guide to Selling Your Home which you can download by clicking here.