Curb Appeal 101: Your Complete Guide to a Jaw-Dropping Outdoor Space
Is it time to transform your outdoor living space?
Whether your curb appeal is lacking or the backyard has seen brighter days, the right approach can undoubtedly result in the outdoor space you have always dreamed of. Not only can a jaw-dropping outdoor living space help to boost the appeal of your home, but it can also increase the value, too!
In this article, we take a closer look at everything you need to know about creating a beautiful and functional outdoor space. Not only that, but also how a local real estate agent may be able to help!
Why Create an Outdoor Living Space?
There are many reasons to invest in your outdoor space.
For starters, the right approach to curb appeal can undoubtedly increase your chances of success once your house has hit the market. While first impressions aren’t everything, they really can help your home stand out against the competition and draw appeal from potential homebuyers.
Not only can it spark interest among those looking for a home, but it can also help to increase the value of your house as well.
Investing time and money into your backyard is helpful for a home that will soon be hitting the market, but can also benefit the new homeowner as well. If you have recently purchased a house or are considering buying a home, but the backyard and landscaping have seen better days, it can be helpful to know that with a little time, effort and money, you can revitalize the outdoor spaces to fit your exact needs.
What You’ll Need
Before you begin the updates to the exterior of your home, you may need a few things first! We highly suggest starting with a plan. You can create your plan with help from a landscaper, home improvement expert or even an expert real estate team.
This plan will help you to identify the areas of importance, outline each step and create a budget. It will also help you to create a comprehensive list of the supplies you need to get started.
The general supplies you may need can include:
Gardening gloves
Grass seed and fertilizer
Shovel, trowel and rake
Mulch and soil
Flowers or plants
Outdoor lights
Wheelbarrow
Garden edger or trimmer
Landscaping bags
Hedge trimmers
These supplies can often be purchased from your local home improvement store or from industry experts in your local area.
Front and Backyard
1. General Clean-Up
The first step to any outdoor transformation is the clean-up.
With a pair of durable gloves, trash bin and recycling bin, you can do a walk around the perimeter of your home to remove trash and debris. Depending on the size of your home and the amount of debris that must be removed, you may need the use of a truck or van.
Be sure to remove large items first, followed by smaller pieces of garbage and debris. Keep in mind that this may not be completed in one day - and that is absolutely okay!
Once the physical items and garbage have been removed, you may need to remove certain plants, rocks and other natural materials. Paper landscaping bags can prove to be very useful in this area. In most cases, you can purchase these from your local hardware or home improvement store!
The importance of cleaning the interior and exterior of your home should never go overlooked! For more tips, tricks and information, take a look at this helpful blog post!
2. Driveway & Walkway
Your driveway and walkway can have a significant impact on your curb appeal. If these hardscapes are cracked, outdated or in poor condition, potential buyers may be less intrigued by your home - or use these factors in their negotiation.
We suggest having an expert visit your home to assess your driveway and walkways. They can provide you with a quote and timeline for the work to be completed, allowing you to have the work completed in a timely manner and ensure that it fits into your budget perfectly.
3. Gardening and Landscaping
When it comes to your garden and landscaping, a little can go a long way! While many homeowners will take a 365 approach to their landscaping, you can do a general overhaul in as little as weeks or even days!
Your approach to gardening and landscaping will depend on several factors, such as the:
Time of year
Condition of the garden and landscaping
Long-term goal
Overall budget
You may have a garden that requires a little weeding and mulch, or a landscape that requires a complete overhaul. Regardless, we always suggest starting with weed and debris removal, then heading to your local landscape store for supplies!
If you have a full-sun garden, flowers and plans such as lavender, petunias, begonias, and succulents are great options. For those working with a shaded area, other options can include hostas, ferns, coral bells, and foxgloves.
The experts at your local garden centre will be more than happy to help you create the perfect garden for your home!
4. Lighting
We agree, no landscape is complete without exterior lighting! The lighting that you choose can depend on a number of factors, such as the layout and design of your property. You may want to consider options such as string lights, in-ground lighting, motion-censored lighting, and even stair lighting!
5. Curb Appeal
After you have made some real progress, we suggest looking at your house from the sidewalk or across the street. Assess your property for overall curb appeal and make changes based on your overall perception of the home.
For some, a new mailbox or house numbers may prove to be the finishing touch, while others may opt to take their garden in a different direction or even paint the front door!
This is also a great opportunity to add some decor! Our favourite decor options include rocking chairs for the front porch, a welcome sign, seasonal planters, hanging baskets, or even a wreath for the front door.
Preparing Your Home for Sale
Are you preparing your home for sale? Creating a jaw-dropping outdoor space can prove to be very beneficial for the success of your listing and potential sale! With Kathy Long and Luanne Hancey, you’re provided access to a team of experts who will work with you long before your home hits the market.
How Our Local Real Estate Agents Can Help
We can help you begin the preparation process months, if not years, before you intend to list your home. This is because we know that performing certain updates and renovations can take time, effort and money. But over time, these changes will be well worth it for the sale of your home!
For more information, get in touch with us today or explore the other articles in our blog! With many years of experience in the Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo real estate market, our team of professionals are more than happy to help you hit the market in style.
