Curb Appeal

So, remember how I was out of town last week?  No?  Well, I was in Colorado Springs for a home staging training conference where I became an APSD certified trainer, which means that I can teach all of you how to be home stagers!  :)  --Only if you want to be a home stager and have your own business, of course.  You can contact me or Click Here to order a free CD to see if a career in home staging is right for you.

That said, I have a promise to fulfill.  I told you that I would be revealing a few home staging tips.  Since I'm focusing on my porch this week, I want to talk a little about curb appeal, which is the first thing buyers notice when they pull up to a house and therefore, the first most important thing (there are many "most important" things).

Tip #1:  Do all the metals match?  I have seen some things while blog hopping that say that there are no rules. Well, that's true when it comes to your own style in your own home that is not for sale.  If it is for sale, no shiny gold with brushed nickle, mmkay?

Tip #2:  Is the exterior paint in good condition (and a modern color)?  Power wash it and if it is all falling off, it's time to repaint.  Go to your local paint store and choose a modern color.  And if your house is peach, don't waste time.  Get your tucas down to the paint store.  I'm sorry but I feel the same about forest green and burgundy too.  They were great when I was in high school.

Tip #3: Does the inside look good from the outside?  The blinds should all be at the same level.  There should be no weird things in the window sills.  Just make sure it feels right (and if you are actually reading this, you probably have a knack for this).

Tip #4: How does the front door look?  The front door is the way into the house but it is also the way out.  Make them want to go in by choosing a nice, contrasting color that goes well with the color of the house.  You may want to add a fresh coat of paint if you already like the color.

Tip #5: Does the landscaping look nice?  I've previously talked about this a little but at a minimum you need to make sure that the lawn is mowed, bushes trimmed, leaves raked, and weeds are pulled.

I tried to do this with the house we are living in.  It is a preforeclosure, which means that the owner is no longer paying the payments so he will either need to sell it short of what is owed (short sale) or the bank will take it back (foreclose).  Since he was not living here, he wasn't taking care of the yard and the grass went south.  It was all brown and full of weeds when we moved in.  The bushes were also very overgrown and in need of a manicure.  I had to do a black and white so it feels like a commercial (you know, the bad "before" pic is always in b/w).

Unfortunately I'm not the best at using the electric shrub cutter things and I may have taken a little too much off the top... er... and sides.  Let's just say that I gave it a military hair cut.  

And while I'm being honest, I'll just let you know that this is the ugliest house in the entire subdivision.  I hate the color.  Our other house was the same color.  It must have been THE color of 2005.

Linking up at the great Linky parties found at the bottom of the blog.  They are where I find most of my inspiration!  Check them out!

plus

Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesday

Bunny Jeans Decor and More - The Bunny Hop

My Repurposed Life - Catch as Catch Can Party

2805 - Potpourri Friday

Debbiedoos - Newbie Party