Curb Appeal: Avoid Your Home Looking Like a Haunted House
The fall season is underway, and as a result, you’re probably spending more time inside than you are outside these days. Before you call it quits on another season of yard work, there are a few tasks you should keep top of mind if you want to keep your yard in tip-top shape during the colder months. Halloween season is fast-approaching, but the only part of your home that should be looking spooky is your festive decor. The Blakemore Real Estate team is sharing our favorite tips for enhancing curb appeal so that this year, trick-or-treaters will get candy when they come to your door instead of a good scare.
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Elevate Your Entry
Create a warm and welcoming front entry with these small improvements:
Make your front door pop. Your front door is usually the first feature someone notices about your home, so why not make it a statement piece? Add a fresh coat of paint with a fun, new color for a noticeable and lasting improvement.
Add character with decor. Give your porch a little personality by adding planters, festive wreaths or lanterns. To keep it light on your wallet, pick pieces that you’ll love all year long but can dress up as the seasons change.
Roll out the welcome mat (literally!). Adding a mat outside your door is just as functional as it is inviting. It says, “I really want you to come in, but would also appreciate it if you wiped your shoes before entering.” What’s not to love about that?
Create a clear walkway. Design a clear path to the front door with decor or lighting to accentuate your entryway. This is a great way to enhance smaller spaces and create a cozy atmosphere in your front yard.
Embrace Symmetry. Not only is symmetry the most visually appealing way to dress up your porch, but it’s also the easiest to arrange. Simplify your entryway by pairing up your sconces, plants or porch decor to create a clean and structured look.
Update Your Hardware
Enhance your exterior by upgrading these details:
Update your house numbers. This simple renovation can bring a fresh, modern look to your home. When you update your house numbers, make sure they are visible from the street so your guests have an easy time finding your home.
Get a new doorknob. Add a little personality to your front door by dressing up the hardware.
Give your mailbox a makeover. This can be as simple as a fresh coat of paint or added landscaping around your mailbox. Either way, the mailbox is usually one of the first noticeable items in your yard, so it’s important to make a great first impression!
Add accent lighting to your landscaping. Although the yard work season is winding down, adding lighting to your remaining bushes and shrubs can add a little extra love to your yard. Consider adding lighting on each side of your walkway as well for added visibility.
Restore Your Exterior
End yard work season with these projects:
Trim trees and shrubs. Make no mistake—we love mature trees, but it’s important to find the right balance between privacy and visibility in your front yard. A nice trim can give your yard the frame it has been missing. You want the greenery in your yard to enhance the charming qualities your home already has, not hide them. Trimming your trees and shrubs is not only for curb appeal, but it’s also for safety. Make sure you are checking your trees for hazardous limbs each year to avoid serious injuries to your home, cars and, of course, your neighbors.
Clean your windows. Dirty windows can make your home appear dark and dingy. A good window scrub will give your exterior a facelift, brighten your interior and improve visibility. We recommend cleaning your windows one last time before winterizing your home, so you can do one final check for any small repairs or cracks before the snow starts falling.
Repair peeling paint. We all know how much of an eyesore cracks and missing paint can be. This is arguably the most important tip on this list if you’re really looking to take your curb appeal to the next level. Note that your paint might be lead-based if you have an older home, so it’s important to take precautions before scraping it off and starting from scratch.
Clean your gutters. Gutters are often an afterthought, but if not properly cared for they can be a huge distraction from your charming home. Take a day to blow the leaves away, power-wash the cement and leave your gutters looking brand new! You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes
