What is Curb Appeal And Why Does it Matter?

Published Date: Aug 22, 2022

Curb appeal is so important for anyone who is wanting to increase the value of their home or make a lasting impression in their neighborhood. But what exactly is curb appeal? We all know it's important for real estate transactions, but many of us are unaware of its true meaning. Curb appeal is the first impression that a person will have when they see your home from the street. It’s essentially how appealing your home looks from the street curb. Others consider it how good your home looks compared to the other houses on the block.

If your home simply blends in with all the other houses, its curb appeal may not be enough to get the asking price you are looking for in the event of a sale, or be welcoming enough for the kids raising money for their sports program to stop by. Having curb appeal matters a great deal for any homeowner, and here are two of the most important reasons why:

Lasting Impressions

It’s that first reaction your neighbor has when they walk up to your home for the first time. That, “Wow this outdoor lighting really brings out your landscaping at night”, a comment that reinforces their perspective on the impression your home gave them. Or perhaps it’s the fact that all the neighborhood kids want to play on your front lawn because it’s equipped with lush green turf and perfect for sports all year round.

No matter what, at the end of the day you want everyone’s first and only impression of your home to be a positive one. So, every aspect of your home’s exterior should be well designed and kept up with if you want to impress the neighborhood, your family and maybe even one day, prospective buyers.

Property Value

Whether you’re hoping to bring up your home’s property value for accounting purposes, or are looking to sale and move soon, the resale value of your home is always top of mind. That’s because the value of your home will play a direct role in how much it’ll hit the market for. The listing price being higher lower or higher depends on many factors, but one those factors will absolutely be curb appeal.

If someone sees your home from the outside and it looks run down, poorly landscaped with a dead lawn and less appealing than the neighboring houses, this will reflect in the listing price and the offers you receive from potential buyers. If you want to sell your home for the highest possible value, and that means standing out from the very first impression and providing prospects with a sense of security. You want people to be stunned when they first get to look at the home in person, both inside and out.

How to Boost Curb Appeal

If you don’t already have one, a well-designed paver walkway and an inviting entryway with LED lighting and proper landscaping can really make a big difference in curb appeal. A functional front yard is another key component when it comes to increasing curb appeal.

Let’s take artificial turf for example. Turf is green and well-manicured all year long which leaves a lasting impression on your neighbors and is a great first impression for prospective buyers. The best part for you is that it’s virtually maintenance free.

On the other hand, let’s consider outdoor lighting. Outdoor LED lighting immediately adds the WOW factor to your front yard, while also providing a sense of security as a homeowner. Adding any of the following outdoor elements can also really add your home's curb appeal: a water feature to create a tranquil space for relaxing, a pergola for shade, or you can even wall off an area for a fireplace and seating area that brings neighbors together.

In any case, enhancing your home’s curb appeal can mean the difference between cutting the price to close faster or getting your asking price if your home is on the market. If it’s not, it could mean the difference between being the best or worse looking house on the block.

For more ideas on outdoor renovations that maximize the value of your home, check out this article that taps into recent Zillow findings on the features potential buyers like most: Outdoor Features That Boost Your Home's Value, According To Zillow.