When touring a potential home, the first thing buyers notice is the front view. In those initial few seconds, they’ve often decided whether or not they like the home. That’s because a well-maintained, charming exterior suggests a pleasant, well-loved interior. Conversely, a house that looks neglected and shabby on the outside hints at an interior that’s been equally neglected.

Real estate agents agree that improving your home’s curb appeal is very important when you’re getting ready to enter the market. An attractive front porch and exterior can add significant value to your home and signals to prospective buyers that you take care of your home. Spending a little time and money on beautifying your home’s curb appeal can do wonders to create the emotion you want potential buyers to feel when first viewing your home. Where to begin? Read on for curb appeal ideas.

Start with the Landscape

Declutter the Yard

If possible, give yourself a month or two to prepare before showing your home. That should be enough to “stage” the outside of your home and get it looking just right.

Start by removing any items in your yard that could distract potential homebuyers. This includes benches, chairs, lawn art, and toys. These will probably be packed up when you move anyway, so put them in storage and let the natural elements of the exterior capture the eye.

Add or Replace the Mulch

A fresh application of mulch can make a tired exterior look clean and new. Apply a thin layer (about 2 to 4 inches) to all your garden beds and around shrubs and trees. Mulch is relatively affordable and very easy to apply. Best of all, it comes in a variety of colors, which can enhance the contrast of the surrounding plants and make everything stand out.

New mulch recently added to to garden area with tools nearby

Tend to Flower and Plant Beds

Tidy up all plants and flowers, pruning excess growth and removing dead or overgrown vegetation. This is also the perfect time to remove weeds and trim and shape plant and tree foliage to give everything a clean-cut, well-maintained look. You’ll also want to remove hanging birdfeeders, wind chimes, and other similar items so that buyers can clearly focus on the architectural details of your home without distraction.

Add Pops of Color

Seasonal colors make the landscape pop. Add healthy new plants and flowers to fill in bare areas of your front landscape, using pops of color to add a sense of joy and happiness to the scenery. For a springtime look, choose flowers in bright colors that accentuate the colors of your house and trim. For a more modern look, go monochromatic and select one color, like white, for all the different types of flowers in your landscape. Be careful not to go overboard, however. It’s better to err on the side of fewer plants, which creates a neater look, than more plants, which can look disorderly and messy.

Consider a Multi-Layered Approach

Besides plants, a few well-placed large rocks or boulders can add a unique touch to your home’s exterior, bringing a multi-dimensional look to an otherwise flat terrain. You can also add dimensional interest by grouping tall, medium, and shorter plants together. Stone borders or edging can help define these groupings, and you can also use them to create a neat transition from lawn to flowerbed — visit your local gardening center for ideas. You can typically find a variety of options and colors to choose from.

Freshen up Water Features

If you have a birdbath or other water features, scrub them to remove algae, leaves, and accumulated grime so that the water is crystal clear. A water feature that doesn't look attractive or isn’t working properly can be a negative to most buyers. address

Related: Try these simple DIY water features ideas.

Get out the Power Washer

If you don’t already own one, consider buying or renting a power washer to gently clean paved surfaces like walkways, driveways, and front patio spaces. With very little effort, you can make grungy, grimy surfaces look brand new. Be sure to use it lightly, however, as spraying too hard can cause damage to the surfaces you’re trying to clean.

Installing Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting is fabulous for highlighting your home’s exterior features and adding a touch of sparkle. For less cost, dress up your home with solar lighting — you’ll find many styles and designs to choose from. Line lights along your front walkway, by your front door, or any other area you’d like to draw attention to. Be careful with string lighting, though. While many people love it, others find it tacky, and it’s best to err on the side of “less is more” when it comes to curb appeal ideas for selling your home.

Next Step – the House

Beyond the landscaping, a home’s exterior makes a great first impression if it’s clean and bright. A well-cared-for look sends a strong message to potential buyers that the house is in good shape.

New landscaping and flowers surround front porch of home.

Inspect Your Roof

Nothing dates a house like warped, faded, aged shingles laden with moss and algae growth. If your roof has seen better days and the cost of replacing it is prohibitive, there are some things you can do. Fixing leaks, replacing damaged shingles, and professionally cleaning your roof to remove moss, algae, and debris can go a long way toward making it look newer and well-maintained.

Related: See our blog, Roof Maintenance: 9 Tips to Keep Your Roof in Top Shape, for more tips.

Add Some Exterior Touch-ups

Get out your power washer again and gently clean exterior spots that are beginning to look a little worn. Then touch up the paint on shutters, accent trim, your front porch if you have one, and any other areas that need it. Painting can do so much for your curb appeal by polishing your home’s exterior and making it look new again. Consider updating the accent trim color(s) with a palette that emphasizes the friendly charm you’re trying to create.

Related: Looking for helpful painting tips? We’ve got you covered.

Replace Exterior Hardware

Whether it’s an old railing on the front step handrail or rusty gutters and downspouts, you can rejuvenate your home’s curb appeal by replacing worn, discolored hardware with a quick trip to your local home improvement store. A new door knocker or door handle can transform the entire look of your front entry. While you’re at it, add a stylish address number plaque to your home or update your existing one.

Spruce up the Mailbox

Mailboxes are a great opportunity for a makeover. Add a fresh coat of paint for an easy update, or go big with a whole new look. Today’s options are limitless, with styles and designs ranging from classic to modern, ornamental to colonial, rustic to sleek, and more. When updating your mailbox, be sure to follow the USPS regulations and choose a look that will enhance the exterior charm you’re trying to create.

Clean Those Windows

Even if everything else on your home’s exterior looks bright and clean, dirty or cracked windows will drag it down. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional window cleaning service, sparkling windows make a big difference in sprucing up your home’s curb appeal. Start by removing the window screens and use a garden hose and soft brush to gently clean them. For your windows, a solution of one part white vinegar to eight parts water, plus a drop or two of mild dishwashing liquid, works wonders. To avoid streaks, wipe with newspaper and choose a cloudy day for your window-washing.

Dress up the Front Door

Perhaps the best of all curb appeal ideas is having a lovely doorway – it is key to creating a friendly, welcoming look. Your goal is to make the main entryway as appealing as possible. A simple wreath on your door is an easy and inexpensive way to add a welcoming touch. Replace your front door mat and flank the door with a few potted plants. Choose decorative containers in varying heights for a more dramatic effect. If your front door is dated or in bad shape, replace it — a new one will add delightful charm to your home and give it a refreshed vibe. At the very least, repaint it with a cheery color to rejuvenate the overall look. Add some new hardware and your work will be done.

Bright, new solid wood front door surrounded by lush landscaping.

Related: Exterior Door Installation: Elevate Your Home's Curb Appeal.

Keep in mind that the time and money you invest in preparing your home for sale can increase its value — and attract more potential buyers. Another tip when selling your home that can help give it a boost in today’s market is home warranty coverage. Including a home warranty plan in your sale gives buyers confidence that they can be financially protected if a covered home appliance or system breaks. For many buyers, the reassurance of extra budget protection offers considerable peace of mind. Learn more about what a home warranty covers and how it works, and get a quick quote now.

FAQs About Curb Appeal and Selling Your Home

What is curb appeal, and why is it important?

Curb appeal refers to the first impression of a home’s exterior. It includes the property’s landscaping, design, architecture, and overall appearance. As the term implies, when someone pulls up to a house's curb, what they see in that initial moment impacts their perception of its value and attraction — and what it might be like on the inside. Curb appeal is especially important to prospective buyers because it can determine their interest in purchasing a home.

What do I need to do to sell my house?

According to most real estate agents, the top curb appeal ideas are landscaping, lawn maintenance, and tree care. Buyers like to see a well-maintained yard when they drive up to a home. An attractive exterior is also important, so consider repainting areas of your home that need it, and be sure to clean all front walkways, patios, and courtyards. As a seller, you can typically recoup the costs of your curb appeal investments in the final sale price. In short, curb appeal may be one of the most important aspects of a home for buyers and sellers.

Related: Our Ultimate Spring-Cleaning Checklist and Deep Cleaning Guide cover everything to do for the exterior and interior of your home to get it ready to list.

Will improving the front porch curb appeal help me sell my home?

If you have a front porch, making simple, low-cost, and often DIY investments in front porch curb appeal can pay you back when you sell your home. Simple details that say “welcome,” like a fresh coat of paint on the front door, new door hardware, lighting improvements, and sparkling clean front steps are great curb appeal ideas that can make a huge difference. When your front porch offers an inviting feel, prospective buyers are more motivated to step inside and tour your home.

The contents of this article are provided for general guidance only. First American Home Warranty does not assume any responsibility for losses or damages as a result of using this information.