5 Weekend Projects To Add Curb Appeal to Your House

When you sell a house, you want to get the best possible price for it. One way to do that is to boost its curb appeal — or the first impression a house gives as people approach from the street. While it may sound like a major undertaking, there are some simple things you can do to make your house more attractive to potential buyers. Here are five simple projects to improve curb appeal that you can do in a weekend or less 

1. Replace Your Worn Mailbox

When you think, "I want to sell my house" the mailbox might not be one of the first things that come to mind. However, it is one of the first things people will see as they approach your home, especially if it is located by the street. Think about it for a minute — your mailbox is literally at the curb. 

Replacing an old, worn mailbox doesn't have to be a major renovation. The first step is to decide what design or materials you want to use. It is a good idea to keep your upcoming sale in mind and choose something neutral. Your options include everything from a simple, one-piece, step-in design to a mailbox set into brick or stone. Most homeowners will choose something somewhere in the middle. 

2. Clean and Seal the Driveway

Once potential buyers get past the curb, they will find your driveway. In fact, if parking is on the street, they will get an up-close look while walking up the driveway. Luckily, a driveway refresh is a relatively quick and simple process. The steps you will take depend on the surface materials involved.

Asphalt, paver and concrete driveways can benefit from a quick scrub with a stiff broom and surface cleaner. If you have access to a pressure washer, that can also come in handy here. Then, apply an appropriate sealer.  Cleaning up gravel driveways can be a little more labor intensive. You can try raking up the existing gravel, but you'll probably want to invest in several yards of new rock to give it a clean look. 

3. Pressure Wash the Siding

Dirty siding can make your house look old and run down, giving a general appearance of neglect to potential buyers. Fortunately, it is pretty easy to solve this problem in many cases. Use a pressure washer and appropriate cleaning solution to blast mold, dust, pollen and dirt off the siding. This will work for most masonry and vinyl siding, but wood will require you to scrub by hand; however, if you are unsure about whether or not to use a pressure washer, it is better to err on the side of caution. 

4. Refresh the Entrance

A home's entrance plays a big role in first impressions of the interior. Take some time to clean up the approach. Include seating on the patio or porch if you have the space to do so without making it feel cramped. Add a few bright spots of color with flowers or artwork to give it all a welcoming feel. 

It is also a good idea to give your door some love by repainting it in an attractive color. Current trends indicate that bold choices, like black, may actually increase your home's selling price. Spend a few minutes to touch up any trim and oil any squeaky hinges to complete the transformation. 

5. Dress Up the Windows

While you probably think of window treatments as something to be viewed from inside a home, they are also visible from the outside. That means that people approaching notice if the windows are bare or if your dog has chewed off the bottom corner of the blinds. That is why you can improve curb appeal by taking some time to update the windows from both inside and out. 

Sure, the real estate market favors sellers right now, but that doesn't mean you should ignore the basic rules of listing your house. Take steps to boost curb appeal by replacing a worn mailbox, cleaning the exterior, and refreshing the front door and windows.