What is Curb Appeal in Real Estate and how it makes a difference to us as Real Estate investors.
What a difference it is that sometimes you drive to a home and park your car and are vowed by the majesty and the appeal of the property, without even stepping inside. This feeling of excitement and vow when you have not even entered the property is called 'Curb Appeal'.
There is a very famous quote, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression" This is so true in our case when an owner or investor is prepping to list a home for sale.
When a prospective buyer pays a visit to review the home with their broker, they make a pattern or impression based on how the property looks and feels from the outside. Then, they imagine what they can expect inside the property.
Generally, it is true also based on my Real Estate experience, often when we see uncured lawns, weeds on the grass, unkempt trees that need pruning, cracks on the driveway, missing shingles etc. 
We immediately connect the dots and realize that the Sellers are not in the habit of keeping the home maintained. And with these cues, our due diligence goes a notch higher in reviewing the property's interiors. And the prospective buyer will need to see a very elaborate and beautiful interior now to get to their shortlisted properties.
But, of course, this isn't the ideal situation for the Seller. As a seller, it should be their duty to ensure that all prospects who come to review their property should have a strong chance of converting them to an interested buyer who wants to place an offer to purchase.
On the other hand, if the property's Curb Appeal is inviting and the property front looks elegant, it reflects on the current owners how well the property is kept. As a result, the buyer prospects feel more confident and secure in liking the property. As a result, the probability becomes so much more to convert the visitors to the next stage.
A strong curb appeal also helps your property to stand out from the competition on a Multiple Listing Service; the most important photo is the cover image, which is mostly the property's front elevation. A front image taken on a bright day, a clear sky, showcases the Curb Appeal in the best light and helps the listing to get much-deserved attention from the prospects.
Now that we understand the importance of good Curb Appeal, let us review some cost effective measures we can take to enhance it,
Landscaping – Ensure the front yard is cured, the grass is without any weeds, and any bushes that need pruning are taken care of. If any reseeding or sodding is a need in any area, it should be done to ensure the front lawn looks green and impeccable. 
Resealing the driveway – If the driveway is old and has developed cracks, effort should be made to reseal the driveway to give it a fresh and clean look.
Replacing light fixtures – it is another cost-effective way where we can change the front lights of the house and replace them to give a contemporary look to the house elevation.
Roof Shingles – when anybody drives to the home, it is imperative to replace any missing or deteriorated shingles. 
Siding panels - if they are dirty, should be cleaned using a power wash. This pressure washer equipment can be rented economically from Home Depot for $30-$ 50 for the entire day.
Freshly painted front door, garage doors – If your front entrance door and garage door are painted fresh, it goes a long way in making the Curb appeal inviting for the house.
House Number Sign – should be elegant and legible for the prospective buyers coming in to create a good vibe for the property
Based on the NAR (National Association of Realtors) Value Survey conducted in 2018, 100% of landscape maintenance and tree care costs are recovered at the time of sale.
Wish you all the very best! Reach out to our dedicated team at Elixir for any queries you have in Real Estate and we will do our best to help.
Mudit Mehta
Broker of Record
ELIXIR REAL ESTATE INC.
Off: 416-816-6001 | [email protected]
