Helena Talbot's blog - Curb Appeal Tips That Will Help You Sell Your Home For Top Dollar

How would you like to sell your home for top dollar?  Well of course you would!  You have probably heard of "curb appeal" .  Curb appeal is the first thing your buyer sees when he drives up to your home.   Yep, you got it - you never get a second chance to make a good first impression.  Your homes curb appeal can determine whether a buyer stops to consider your home or just drives on by.  It will also set the buyers mindset on whether or not your home has been well cared for and if it's worth what you are asking for it.

Here are a few curb appeal ideas that will help you sell your home for top dollar.

1.   You should take a look around your home with fresh eyes and ask yourself "what do I see?"  Take care of all major and minor maintenance issues.  Anything from loose gutters, crooked shutters, cracked windows and loose mortar.  Nothing should be left undone.  The time you spend on these things now could potentially save you thousands of dollars in the long run.  For example:  if you have a cracked window, the buyer will have it in their mind that your home needs new windows , whether it does or not.  Once the buyer has a certain mindset, it's hard to change it.  Whereas it would have been much cheaper to just replace that one window and the buyer would have more than likely never noticed and therefore it would never have been an issue.

2.  If you can afford it, it will pay you back in spades if you paint your entire house.  If you can't, make sure you powerwash it or at least paint the trim and the doors.  You can  rent a powerwasher for a day or so to make your home look as fresh as possible.  This should include cleaning the windows as well.  This goes back to the scenario above.   If the buyer sees dirty windows, he might perceive them as old and in need of being replaced.

3.  Clean up all the clutter and anything that doesn't need to be there.  Depersonalize it as much as possible.  You want your potential buyers to be able to envision themselves living there.  You should add some fresh mulch and perhaps add some flowers to a nice pot on the porch or to  your flowerbeds.  A splash of color will catch their eye and enhance your curb appeal.

4.  Most people don't consider the little things like their mailbox and their house numbers.  What is the first thing your buyer will see when they are driving down your street looking for your house?  Your house number right?  So whether your house number is on your mailbox or on your house or both, that is the first thing your buyer will see.  So go ahead and spend a few extra dollars and get a new mailbox if you need it and if not, you can plant some flowers around the base and add some fresh new numbers to it. In addition to your mailbox, buy a nice, tasteful new plaque for your house with your house numbers on it.   It's the little things that go a long way.

Talk to your realtor to find out what other recommendations they have to enhance your curb appeal.  The next thing you know, you will have a top dollar offer being submitted for your approval.

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia.

I have over 25 years experience in the real estate industry.  As a Broker/Owner with Exit Realty Talbot and Company, I bring special tools and solutions that enable me to exceed the expectations of my clientele.  If you are considering listing your property in Loudoun County or the nearby areas, ask me about our latest internet marketing systems.  I would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.  I am experienced in listing and selling short sales.  For information on the short sale process, please visit  www.LoudounShortSaleSolutions.com.

For a free market analysis on the value of your home, please visit http://www.LoudounHomeValues.com

My past awards and designations include – 2003 President of the Dulles Association of Realtors, 2003 Dulles Area Assoc Realtor of the Year, Salesperson of the year 2000 Dulles Area Assoc of Realtors,  Top Producer awards from both the Dulles Area Association and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.  I am a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network.

I have lived in Loudoun County since 1979.  I am married with two grown children and two grandchildren.  My son in law is my business partner in real estate.  I love to jog in the mornings and spend time relaxing on my Trawler during the summer months.

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax, Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William  Counties.  Our local neighborhoods includeLeesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.                        Cell 703.727.9885    Office 703.574.3800

Free iPhone/Android Mobile App to search Northern Virginia real estate.  2 easy ways to get the App:  Text “Exit9” to 87778 or enter http://87778.mobi/Exit9 into your browser.