Curb Appeal: A One-Stop Guide for Essential Repairs and Upgrades

Maintaining impeccable curb appeal can be daunting for any homeowner. From keeping the siding spotless to the lawn freshly cut, the demands of achieving that picturesque front yard can be both time-consuming and costly.

But there’s no denying the value that curb appeal brings, especially when it’s time to sell your home. So, how can you tackle these improvements without spending too much time and money? We’ve got you covered with our essential curb appeal guide, designed to provide you with practical, cost-effective solutions.

By focusing on projects that offer the best return on investment (ROI), we’ll help you understand what potential buyers are truly looking for to maximize your home’s value — without breaking the bank.

Selling Your Home Soon?

While these curb appeal tips are great for enjoying your own home, they also can help boost buyer interest if you’re selling. Working with a top agent can help identify the best ways to prep, stage, and market your home for a successful sale.

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Prioritize must-fix issues

Before diving into cosmetic upgrades, take a step back and assess the essential repairs that can’t be ignored. “Sellers want to minimize their investment to get their home sold, so I always tell them to focus on the items that would make a buyer walk away,” says Jenah Mahan, a top real estate agent in Tacoma, Washington. “A buyer isn’t going to walk away from your house because you don’t have a cute bench with pretty pillows on the front porch. Focus on the things that would kill a deal.”

According to Mahan, anything the home appraiser is going to call out is what’s going to be a dealbreaker for buyers. That includes maintenance like roofing issues, peeling paint, or anything that could hint at foundation instability.

“It doesn’t really matter how much mulch you put in the yard or how many flowers you add, because if your house has flaking paint or loose shingles or a gutter falling off, that’s going to trump anything that you make pretty,” Mahan says.

Critical issues like roofing problems, peeling paint, or signs of foundation instability should be your top priority. These problems will not only diminish your home’s curb appeal but can also lower its perceived value. Once these structural or maintenance issues are addressed, then you can shift your focus to enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your property. This approach ensures you make repairs that matter most before investing in decorative updates.

Landscaping data collected from HomeLight’s Spring 2023 Top Agent Insights Report
Garage door data collected from 2023 Cost vs. Value Remodeling Report
Exterior paint data collected from HomeLight’s New Year 2022 Top Agent Insights Report
Siding data collected from HomeLight’s Summer / Fall 2021 Top Agent Insights Report

Curb appeal tips for your front entrance

First impressions are everything — especially when it comes to real estate. The entrance to your home is the first thing buyers will notice, and it sets the tone for the rest of the property. Small but thoughtful improvements to your front entrance can make a big difference in how welcoming and inviting your home feels.

Pathways and steps

Pay close attention to the condition of your pathways and steps. Cracked pavement, uneven bricks, or broken stairs can immediately signal neglect or safety hazards. A clean, safe pathway not only creates a welcoming entryway but also prevents potential buyers from feeling uneasy before they even step inside. Repairing pathways can cost between $725 and $2,481, depending on the extent of the damage.

Front door

The front door is one of the easiest yet most impactful features to upgrade. A fresh coat of paint can breathe new life into an otherwise drab exterior, especially if you opt for a bold color that complements your home’s style. A well-painted door doesn’t just look good; it can make your home feel more inviting. The cost of painting your front door typically ranges from $135 to $300, and it’s an affordable investment with a significant return.

Front porch

Your front porch plays a key role in setting the tone for your home’s exterior. A sagging porch, loose steps, or broken railings could raise questions in the minds of buyers about the home’s overall condition. “If I see a sagging front porch or something that doesn’t look correct on the front porch, it’s immediately going to make me think that there might be a foundation issue even if there’s not,” Mahan cautions.

Repairing or stabilizing the porch helps avoid potential concerns, such as foundation problems, and improves overall safety. The average cost to repair a front porch ranges from $650 to $3,700, depending on the required work.

Exterior lighting

Outdoor lighting not only enhances the beauty of your home but also plays a crucial role in safety and theft prevention. According to the NAR, 81% of first-time buyers consider lighting an essential or desirable feature. Clear out the cobwebs, replace any burned out bulbs, and ensure that your exterior lighting works properly, illuminating pathways and highlighting landscaping elements. Replacing old, broken light fixtures or adding new ones typically costs between $158 and $1,018, depending on a variety of factors.