How to Increase Curb Appeal at Any Budget
With stay orders in place across North Carolina, we are spending more time at home and tackling projects buried in the to do list. We have compiled a list of curb appeal projects at a variety of price points, including links to purchase. This is also a progressive project list that can show you where you can upcycle, repurpose, and sell things you might otherwise discard. Seller's need to embrace this simple concept: People buy with their eyes. In other words; you get one chance to make a first good impression.
While many in our industry have made speculations as to the future of the real estate market, we are seeing sellers and buyers continue to move forward with sales and acquisitions since mortgage rates are low and Triangle area real estate is quite stable in comparison to comparable Atlantic coast metro areas is still considered to be a bargain. Lastly it's important to remember that at the end of the day people buy and sell homes for a reason. If you are interested in buying or selling a home in Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill, contact a member of our team!
Less is More: Budget $0
Less Is More in low-cost curb appeal. The quickest way to increase curb appeal is to declutter, everywhere. As you declutter, we have some 
recommendations of how to best dispose of objects.
Weeding/Pruning: If you have a flower or herb garden, or simply a shrub landscape at home, weeding and pruning is essential to the flourishing of flowers and also makes for a neat appearance. It is also a great activity for children
DeCluttering: In the interior of your home go through large pieces of furniture or simply go room by room to see what pieces need to go. If you love it keep it, if you do not, list it on Craigslist or find a resale shop, see antiques below. Another fun way to repurpose old drawers from a dresser is to use them to grow raised beds of vegetables or flowers.
Selling: While maintaining social distance, try a small garage sale. All of your neighbors are exercising outside, why not display some of the items you are looking to sell, with hand sanitizer and cashless app ready such as Venmo. You can use some of these proceeds to make more improvements below!
Donating: For items you would like to dispose of, consider donating to these causes first. Hospice.Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Budget $250
$250
If you made proceeds from a spring cleaning sale, the below updates really improve the look of your home for less.
Trim Painting: Give the interior or exterior of your home a quick refresh with a complimentary painted trim. This is a painting job that is fun and easy providing a fresh update to rooms or signature spaces. Think window frames. From a color wheel just choose opposite colors across from each other for complementary shades and follow this guide or watch the short video below
Upcycled Drawer Planters- got old drawers? They make charming above ground planters. You can also buy crates. For $250 you have a large selection of plants that can line a house and are more manageable to design around and cost effective than mulch. We recommend choosing Heritage varieties for those sustainably inclined, but seeds from Lowes will do!
Closets/Pantries: One of the unsung heroes of interior curb appeal is the closet system. From the California Closet to the more affordable storage solution systems, this is a great way to spend proceeds from clothes sales. We recommend selling clothing on sites like Poshmark, who have a seamless interface, allow trade, and have designer brands. If you are going through your pantry, please donate here. Here is a guide to closet systems by budget.
Budget $500
If you continue to upcycle and sell with these resources above, you can easily achieve a goal of $500 AND have increased curb appeal. Below are some updates that add great curb appeal from physical warmth to spaces to share conversation.
Front Door Update: The doors to your home make a real impression and a freshly painted door with updated hardware can be a next step after trim work. The pricing on this depends also on whether you are looking to completely replace your door. Here is a guide to Door Colors for suggestions, and some hardware.
Outdoor Conversation Sets / Gathering places: What better way to admire your new upcycled drawers than with a conversation set. Think outdoor furniture is out of your price range? Think again! There are a number of home sites that are selling deeply discounted outdoor furniture that take any outdoor space and make it feel more livable. See these conversation sets that are under $500. Fire pits that are portable are great additions to any outdoor space and are make wonderful gathering focal points. There are so many affordable options under $500. This warmth outside the home is enjoyed by family, friends, and children.
Budget $1000+
Some updates below are part improvement and part maintenance but add to a home's value, beyond curb appeal. If you chose to part with an antique or antiques that do not suit you, the site 1stDibs is like the Antiques Roadshow Online. North Carolina has some of the best Antiques in the US and you can also inquire into reputable area dealers.
Tree Removal: Removing Dead trees can cost quite a bit more than $1000, however it is well worth the spend. Dead trees cause considerable amounts of damage in inclimate weather. Try using a tree trimmer who has the capability to provide mulch or firewood with the chopped tree.
Pergola/Yard Feature: A pergola can be very costly, but there are discount options that can be assembled at home, for less. Keep in mind during storm season, these are very susceptible to damage with high winds, so have a secure plan in place. Here are some inexpensive pergolas to peruse!
We hope you have enjoyed our progressive curb appeal guide. If you are looking to buy or sell a North Carolina home, contact My NC Homes today!
My NC Homes
Posted by Larry Tollen on
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