Curb appeal, the term used by realtors to describe the general attractiveness of a house or property as viewed from the curb, is a critical element in maximizing the home’s outdoor space to make a great first impression. The average prospective buyer will decide whether they like a home (or not) within seconds of seeing it. It’s not a cliché’ - first impressions really do matter.

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The first impression is a lasting impression

You may have heard it said, “you only get one chance to make a first impression.” Research supports this popular adage showing that within seven seconds a person will make several judgments about who you are and if they can trust you. That same concept applies to homebuyers who are browsing homes online or driving through neighborhoods looking at houses they are trying to visualize as their next home. In many cases, if a potential buyer doesn’t like what they see from the outside of your property, there is a good chance they won't even bother going inside!

The goal is for potential buyers to be able to picture themselves living in your home as soon as they pull up outside! When a home’s exterior is well kept and attractive, prospects are more likely to feel an immediate sense that it would be an enjoyable place for them to live.

According to Realtor Magazine, homes with high curb appeal sell for 7% more (on average) than similar homes.

This article provides some key elements to ensuring that your seller’s home has excellent curb appeal that will drive traffic to your listings and help you get the best price for the property.

The Benefits of Curb Appeal

For potential buyers, a home’s outdoor appearance can be a major factor in how valuable they perceive a property to be, and can increase their enthusiasm about making an offer. Curb appeal can make your clients’ homes stand out from other listings and further optimize the home’s sale potential. Here are a five reasons why curb appeal is so powerful.

**1) Increases Perceived Property Values**
One of the main benefits of curb appeal is that it increases perceived property values (significantly). Many buyers base their offers on how much they love the property, as opposed to what they could do with it. Simply put, ensuring that your clients’ properties have excellent curb appeal is a simple way to drive up the value of the home.

**2) Makes the Property More Appealing**

Another key benefit of curb appeal is that it makes the property much more interesting and appealing for prospective buyers. Curb appeal plays a direct role in the overall appeal and aesthetic of your client’s property. Most people will perceive that a property that looks great from the outside is one they would be proud to call home!

**3) Creates an Unbeatable First Impression**

Enhancing the outward appearance of the property can create an amazing first impression, which is proven to be a critical factor in real estate. A bad first impression is hard to overcome. Even an average first impression – such as a bland and uninspired curb appeal – can limit your chances of wowing the buyer when they are shopping around for their next home. Creating an unbeatable first impression creates a positive feeling for potential buyers and increases the chances they will look closer at the property.

**4) Differentiates Your Property From the Crowd**

Another benefit of curb appeal is that it helps the property stand out from the crowd. Adding some extra touches here and there can go a long way towards making sure people want to see more of your home when they pull up in front of it. Simple landscaping projects, such as adding mulch, pruning shrubs, and planting flowers and greenery in addition to brightening up the front door with a fresh coat of paint, and updating lighting fixtures are just a few quick tips for sprucing up the outside. After you increase the appeal of the outside, we offer some easy tips on staging the home.

**5) Sells a Home Faster**

According to a Michigan State University, landscaping and other efforts put into can increase perceived home value by 5 to 11%. Curb appeal can also sell a home faster. By helping your client’s property stand out, increasing its appeal and aesthetic, and making it appear more valuable, you’ll often be able to sell the home faster.

Capturing the Curb Appeal and More!

When considering the curb appeal of the property you are listing, walk across the street or approach the home from a distance while viewing it from a buyer’s perspective. How does it look? High-quality photos, drone photos, and video of the home’s curb appeal, and extras, such as spacious backyard or new roof, capture a potential buyer’s interest both online and onsite.

According to data from the Washington Post, 87 percent of home buyers say that they relied on photos when house hunting, and that professionally photographed homes may sell 32 percent faster than other listings.

OM Media offers professional photography, video, and other services that heighten curb appeal and boost your marketing efforts for any property. With the spring market rapidly approaching, book now to let us help you showcase your listings.