How to Increase Your Property’s Kerb Appeal

If you’ve been thinking about selling your home, then naturally you’ll want to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. Kerb appeal is a phrase used by estate agents to refer to the exterior of a property and how appealing or attractive it is. 

The exterior of your property is just as important as the interior, and arguably more so, as it’s the first thing any potential buyers will see when they come for a viewing. An untidy front garden, peeling paint or a broken gutter can all damage your property’s kerb appeal, but luckily there are many ways you can increase it to help attract buyers. If you’re looking to sell in the near future and want to find out how to spruce up the exterior of your home, read on for our tips and tricks to increase the kerb appeal of your property. 

Revamp the front door

Your front door is often the first thing people see when they come to your home, so it’s important to make a good impression. Chipped or peeling paint, missing house numbers or faded lettering don’t look good and it suggests that your home’s interior will be just as unkempt. You don’t have to replace your entire front door either, often a lick of paint is all that’s needed to rejuvenate a tired looking wooden door. 

If you have a uPVC or composite door, give it a thorough clean using warm soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge. It’s also worth polishing any metal door fixtures with a specialist metal polish to remove dirt and grime and leave a sparkling finish. Quirky extras like a house sign or a bespoke door number also help to inject some personality into the property and encourage potential buyers. 

Tidy the garden

If you’re lucky enough to have a front garden, make the most of it! A tidy, well maintained garden can add a lot of value to your property and be a great asset. However, this won’t be the case if it’s overgrown or full of rubbish, so be sure to thoroughly clean up your outdoor space before any viewings.

Remove any weeds, mow the lawn and trim any overgrown hedges or bushes. If you have the time and the budget, adding in some extras can also help increase your property’s kerb appeal. Landscaping your garden can add as much as 20% to the total value of your property, so it’s well worth planting some colourful borders or adding a pond or water feature. 

Add a new garage door

A garage is another valuable asset to your property, so make sure it’s not let down by a rusty or dented garage door. Like your front door, this is one of the first things a potential buyer will see, so update your garage door to add extra security and ensure your home is looking its best. Installing an electric garage door is a great way to give your property an update and it’s another bonus for any potential buyers. 

Garage doors also come in a variety of colours and finishes to suit the style of your property, from a traditional wood grain effect to a variety of stylish colours. 

Maintain your windows

Dirty window panes and peeling paint aren’t very inviting, so don’t forget to spruce up your windows too. Professional window cleaning services will ensure you maintain those hard to reach windows on higher floors and it’s worth painting your window frames if the paint is chipped or faded. 

Double glazing is a great way to increase your property’s kerb appeal, but some homeowners might feel that the installation costs aren’t worth it if you’ll be moving in the near future. Shop around for some quotes or speak to your estate agent to help you decide whether it’s worth the potential increase in value for your property. 

Fix broken gutters

Broken gutters look unsightly and they can also cause damage to a property’s roof or fascias. New owners won’t want to have to deal with these problems, so you’re far more likely to make a sale if you fix these things first. 

Gutters can become prone to clogs, so clear them out regularly to prevent a build up of twigs, dead leaves and other debris. If you notice cracks or splits in your gutters then you’ll need to call a professional to get them fixed. Other warning signs include gutters that sag or have pulled away from the house or if you notice pools of water directly beneath the gutters. 

Inspect the roof

Cracked or missing tiles give the exterior of your home a general untidy appearance and, like broken gutters, it can also lead to more serious problems further down the line. Missing roof tiles can lead to leaks inside your home, as well as the presence of damp or mould. It’s worth arranging for a professional to come and inspect your roof; they’ll be able to spot any issues that might not be visible from the ground, such as heavy moss or lichen growth or damaged flashing around the chimney or roof windows. 

Maintain fences and gates

Damaged fence panels or a gate that’s hanging off its hinges looks untidy and viewers might worry that the property isn’t as secure as it could be. Take the time to repair any damaged fence panels, fix a broken gate and generally spruce up your exterior. 

Add a fresh layer of wood stain or weather protector to wooden gates and fences to protect them from the elements and help prevent mould or rot. If you have metal fencing, remove rust using steel wool and repaint any chipped areas to keep things looking neat and tidy. 

Tidy the path 

A tidy, clean pathway is one of the quickest and easiest ways to enhance the kerb appeal of your home and ensure it makes a good impression. Power washing is a great way to blast away dirt and grime and restore a stone pathway in an instant. You should also remove any weeds and repair any cracked paving stones so there aren’t any trip hazards. 

If you want a more permanent solution, consider re-surfacing your path or driveway for the most durable, long lasting finish. There are many materials to choose from, including concrete, tarmac and gravel. 

If you’re looking to boost the kerb appeal of your property, consider a new garage door from the experts at Thoroughbred Industrial Doors. We’re proud to offer an extensive range of garage doors, including roller doors, electric models and custom built doors to suit your exact requirements. Our trained technicians are on hand to supply and install your garage doors to the highest standards and there’s a range of paint colours and finishes to choose from.

All garage doors come with a five year finish warranty and each door is given a powder-coated corrosion-resistant finish to ensure they stand the test of time. If you’re a business owner, we also supply and install a range of industrial doors to protect your property, including sectional doors, steel hinged doors and fire doors. For more information about any of our products, give us a call today or visit our website for a free, no obligation quote.