Affordable updates: Seven quick and easy ways to improve kerb appeal for a faster sale

With so many properties on the market, it can be challenging to make your home stand out so buyers see its appeal.

You want buyers to be excited about your house, and how you present it can help them to imagine themselves living there and the lifestyle the property offers.

A tidy, well-maintained house that entices buyers will sell faster and for a higher price than an equivalent property that shows obvious signs of wear and tear, which can be a turn-off for buyers who don’t want to spend time and money on repairs.

With a bit elbow grease, you can refresh your property before sale without a huge outlay, increasing its kerb appeal and offering that all-important favourable first impression.

When preparing your home for sale, these are the most important areas you should focus on to create eye-catching kerb appeal.

1. Front fence

This is often the first thing a buyer sees, so if it’s in need of repair, paint it or replace it to refresh the look of the home.

Picket fences can be scraped and sanded back, sealed with undercoat and finished with a glossy coat of fresh paint.

Stone walls should have moss removed with a high-pressure washer and be scrubbed with a moss-inhibiting product to prevent further growth.

Rendered fences can also be revamped with a coat of paint.

2. Pathways

Tidy pathways create good visual appeal, leading a buyer to the front door and into the house.

If pavers are lifting, they are easily levelled by digging out soil from underneath and resetting them. Cement paths can be transformed by applying paving paint.

Remove any weeds, and use a high-pressure washer to make the surface pristine. Use a lawn edger to get a nice finish and a clean line on the path’s edge.

3. Postbox and house number

Dilapidated postboxes and grubby house numbers are features that can easily and cheaply be replaced.

These small details, if in good repair, can give the impression of a well-cared-for house. If they are in reasonable condition, it’s simply a matter of cleaning, polishing or painting.

4. Front garden

A well-tended front garden creates a very welcoming first impression, and lush front lawns appeal to many buyers.

Feed your lawn to encourage thick growth, or if it is in poor condition, lay new turf for instant impact.

Trim shrubs, install edging, plant flowering annuals and mulch with wood bark to give a great finish.

5. Gutters and fascias

Leaves and branches hanging out of the gutters instantly indicate to buyers a level of upkeep required with the house.

Clean the gutters and check downpipes are not clogged to ensure they drain well. If they are looking rusty or grubby, give them a quick coat of paint.

If paint on fascias is peeling, they should be scraped, sanded, cleaned and repainted to improve their appearance.

6. Front door

The front door can create a great impression, but dated designs can allude to similar decor inside. Fortunately, if the door is in good condition, it’s an easy fix.

Carved timber doors from the ’70s can be easily transformed and brought up to date by painting them gloss black or even a highlight colour.

Alternatively, installing a modern door with frosted glass can add light to the interior and instantly revitalise the whole look and feel of the front of the house.

7. Styling

Now that the front of the house has had a complete facelift and looks fresh and well-tended, you can make it look even more inviting by styling the exterior.

Create the feeling of the great lifestyle your house offers by adding outdoor furniture accented with bright-coloured cushions. If you don’t own outdoor furniture, you may be able to borrow some from family or friends during the sales campaign.

Buy a few large pots and add colourful flowers. Remember, if it’s not in the ground, you can take it with you, so this investment will also enhance your new home.

Thinking of selling? Read Domain’s Ultimate Guide To Selling Your Home to find out everything you need to know.