The term curb appeal describes the impression that people form of a house when they view it as they walk or drive by from the road. street. This first impression can remain with them, even when they learn more about the home by viewing it from the inside.
Some of the factors that help a home have good curb appeal include a well-kept yard, paint that appears fresh and not peeling, an intact roof with no shingles missing, and a front door that looks welcoming and attractive.
Curb appeal is extremely important when people are trying to sell their home. There are also plenty of good reasons to keep up with curb appeal even when homeowners have no plans to put their house on the market anytime soon.
Homeowners Can Save on Energy Costs with Careful Tree Design
Shrubs and trees can make a yard and home look more attractive, but they also come with a much more practical benefit. When trees on the property face to the west, northwest, or east, they help to block some of the stronger effects of wind and sun.
Keeping the sun’s rays from penetrating the home on the hottest days of summer means that homeowners don’t have to run their air conditioners as much and can save money on energy costs.
Criminals Are More Likely to Bypass Homes with Strong Curb Appeal
Although shrubs and trees can help to improve energy efficiency, the downside is that they can provide cover for would-be burglars when they become overgrown. Homeowners can prevent this problem by keeping all trees and plant growth in their yard neatly trimmed.
If a tree or bush is in front of a window, homeowners should limit its height to three feet to enable them to see outdoors. Bright lighting also has the dual benefit of improving curb appeal while making the home less attractive to those who might plot to break in.
The Importance of Curb Appeal When Selling a Home
According to a January 2020 article published in Realtor Magazine, homes with excellent curb appeal sell for an average of seven percent more than homes where the people living there haven’t paid as much attention to it. The news gets even better when the demand for available homes is high and the supply is low. In that case, the difference in selling price doubles to 14 percent.
The University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Alabama joined forces to study the financial impact of curb appeal in 2019. Researchers used a rating scale of one to four with higher numbers indicating greater curb appeal.
Homes earned high marks for features such as professional landscaping and well-manicured lawns while those with overgrown grass, broken pavement, or similar blemishes received the lowest ratings.
The purpose of the study was to assist real estate agents in developing an algorithm to automatically assess curb appeal and include the rating in the property’s appraisal. Including this information ultimately benefits both home sellers and buyers by giving the most accurate valuation of the property. Even something as minor as updating an outdated mailbox can improve the curb appeal of a home.
