January Blog by Mr. Curb Appeal (Dan Butler)

Listing your property for sale in “Jan-u-weary”

Bringing your home to market in January can be mentally challenging in our great state of Georgia. The Christmas decorations have been put away, your lawn is dormant and brown, and everything is just blah outside. The photographer is coming in 3 days to take listing photos for your realtor and your having some curb appeal paralysis. In this month’s blog we will discuss some things you can do to boost your curb appeal and enhance those listing photos.

1. Check your basics- how are your Foundation Shrubs? These shrubs are typically evergreen and run from left to right corner to corner across the front of your home. Corner Plantings are a sub type of Foundation Shrubs, and you guessed it- are planted at the right and left corners of the front of your home. These corner plantings are traditionally taller than the rest of your foundation shrubs as they are not blocking windows. Arborvitae, Hollies, and Laurels and 3 common types of corner plantings that can offer winter interest such as red berries, lush green growth and nice and tall anchoring for your home this time of year. Swapping your corner plantings out for new ones or just giving them a nice pruning could help here.

2. Nice and bright- Pressure wash your driveway, sidewalk and porch. A clean entry to a home can feel much better to a potential buyer as they approach your home for a showing. It also shows much better in photos! Let them know your home is taken care of by impressing them from the curb first, then right up to the front door.

3. Thick and fresh-Apply new Pine Straw or Mulch to beds. Now that the leaves are down and cleaned up, it’s a great time to apply fresh Pine Straw or Mulch. Your potential buyer doesn’t want to move in with a chore list. Let them know your beds are pre-prepared for spring and they won’t move in with a to do list!

4. Shine & protect- The Front Door. Very Important. All Curb Appeal eventually leads us to your front door. This can be as simple as washing or wiping down so it’s clean and cobweb free. If you have a steel or fiberglass door, consider painting it to give it a fresh look. If you have a wooden door these need maintenance as well. Lightly sand the door and/or apply a clear urethane to breathe new life into your front entry.
Each home will have its own unique set of things that can be done to boost its curb appeal during this cold month. If you need help listing your home for sale and would like to talk more about curb appeal and boosting your home’s value please contact me.

Author- Dan Butler