Professional Advice on Getting the Best Curb Appeal for Your Home
From a realtor’s perspective, what makes for impressive curb appeal? Is it the landscaping? The siding? The composite roofing overhead?
During National Curb Appeal Month we want to provide you with insights on how to make your house a stand-out success in the neighborhood. So, we went to an expert for advice to share with you.
Advice from a Pro
We showed three pictures of homes with composite roofing from DaVinci Roofscapes to realtor John Lynn with Keller Williams in North Carolina. We invited John, who has sold countless homes over the years, to share his impressions of the home overall. And, we asked him to tell us how he believes the roof plays into the curb appeal of the home.
House #1:
“I like the house, but my initial impression is that it looks too busy or cluttered with the way they have their landscaping set up and the extra items left outside, such as the chair, birdhouse, statuette, etc. The roof gives the rest of the house some definition and adds to the visual appeal for people who like geometric designs and moderate contrast in a home’s appearance. I love what they’ve done with the valleys and under the ridges with the black borders! It sets off the rest of the roof nicely. This house wouldn’t interest me enough to warrant a visit on first impression.
The curb appeal is lacking here because of the clutter and your chance of selling on first-look curb appeal is probably 50/50.”
House #2:
“I love this house and can honestly say that it’s the roof that does it for me! Those shingles look like something from where I’ve stayed in London near Kensington and it blends perfectly with the solid brick house. I think the landscaping greatly enhances the appearance of this house as well and I would definitely stop for a look if it were for sale. It’s upscale in appearance, but I wouldn’t feel like a guest living there.
The curb appeal is fantastic and this is easily my favorite. I can’t see this home not selling based on first-look curb appeal.”
House #3:
“The driveway is what sets this house off for me. They chose a color tone for the house that goes with the brick and I like that. Very visually appealing. The landscaping looks like it belongs there as well. The roof is interesting. I like that they broke up the roof by using different colored shingles with colors that are further apart on the color spectrum and not totally matching. I wouldn’t have thought to do that, but it does look very nice.
I’d go back for a second look as a buyer. The wooden barn style doors are a nice touch as well. What really caught my eye in an ‘I just found Waldo!’ way is the dormer on the right side of the home. Whatever they’ve added under there is very interesting. I think this home would have a very good chance at selling on first-look curb appeal.”
Tips for Adding Curb Appeal
Did any of John’s comments surprise you?
Creating curb appeal can be a tricky thing. A lawn ornament you love may be “over the top” in some people’s eyes.
We asked John to provide us with some curb appeal tips to share. Whether you’re getting ready to sell your home or just want to fit into the neighborhood better, these may be helpful for you and your family.
- Tip #1 – Go with a minimalist approach. Just as a realtor would advise you on the interior of your home when getting ready to sell, John says the exterior should not look too busy. Remove excessive lawn ornaments and decorations.
- Tip #2 – Clean up. Take time to pressure wash the driveway and clean the exterior of your home so it always makes a good first impression.
- Tip #3 – Invest in a quality roof. The roof is a big part of the first impression of your home; investing in a good-looking, low-maintenance roof can quickly enhance your home’s curb appeal.
“I think the quality of a roof on a home, whether new or existing, should never be an afterthought,” says Lynn. “A roof is your home’s first line of defense against the elements. If you put cheap shingles on your roof to save a few dollars, it could lead to problems later on that could cost more money to repair. Invest in a good, solid roof to begin with. The extra expense in the beginning more than pays for itself over time.”