A survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Home Owners Alliance found that 68% of potential buyers believe that kerb appeal is one of the important things to consider when buying a home. With this in mind, let’s have a look at some of the most important features of kerb appeal according to this research that you can easily do yourself.
Paint Woodwork
71% of potential UK-based homebuyers think that windows being in good condition contributes the most towards kerb appeal. In addition, 56% attribute value to well-maintained fences, and 52% said a well-maintained and attractive front door contributes the most to kerb appeal.
With this in mind, take the time to give wooden windows, front doors, fences, and any other woodwork you have on the exterior of your home a fresh lick of paint.
You can find a wide range of exterior wood paint at hardware stores. And, if woodwork is a bit of a misnomer and these elements are made of UPVC, you can pick up specific paint for this, too.
Tidy and Clean Away Foliage
67% of respondents prioritised properties with front gardens that are tidy, such as having no weeds and neatly trimmed bushes. A pathway or drive that is weed-free is also important to potential buyers, with 59% saying it contributed most to kerb appeal for them.
With a lot of importance placed on the design and maintenance of your garden and shrubbery, it’s time to get gardening. Now, you don’t have to be super green-fingered to make the most of your front garden. The RHS has some tips for low-maintenance gardens, some of which are very budget-friendly and reduce the need to get the mower and power tools out before every viewing.
In addition, especially if you have any trees nearby or on your property, it can pay to have a quick look in your gutters and clear them of any foliage or debris. This can give extra kerb appeal to 50% of buyers.
Address Issues on the Exterior
Last, but not least, of our DIY takeaways from the homebuyers kerb appeal survey is that a slick exterior is key. In fact, 54% of those surveyed said that a well-painted and decorated exterior contributes the most to kerb appeal in their eyes.
Of course, it’s important to recognise that re-painting an exterior can only do so much. There are many external issues that paint can’t fix, and some properties are just harder to sell than others due to things like location or property age, no matter how much DIY you try.
That said, considering alternative, online estate agents in the UK can allow you to sell your home quickly, with no hidden fees, without the need to re-paint your exterior. Instead, experts make a fair assessment of the property value as it stands. This could mean you could sell your home for cash in as little as 7 days, without having to DIY at all.
And there you have it – the most important elements contributing to kerb appeal according to buyers, and how you can get on top of them yourself before putting your property on the market. All that’s left to do is start your DIY journey.
