You’ve probably been told to consider a home’s “curb appeal,” before heading into the open house. This, of course, is an assessment of the home’s attractiveness from the street (the curb!). It’s the way the house’s facade and front yard presents to passers-by. Nice-looking curb appeal is always a plus, but there are a few … Read more
Your front door—and, more specifically, the color it’s painted—can have a major effect on your home’s curb appeal. For instance, a red door might symbolize luck for some buyers. A jet black or charcoal black door could net you an extra $6,271 should you sell, according to a study from Zillow. But what color should … Read more
In a hot seller’s market, it’s tempting to forgo any and all improvements when listing your home. After all, with property inventory as low as it is, buyers are more willing to purchase homes that are in need of a little — or a lot — of TLC. But as the saying goes, “You’ve got … Read more
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. When it comes to your home, first impressions are critical. These days though, the definition of curb appeal isn’t as literal. According to interior designer Beth Diana Smith, “the essence of curb appeal is how attractive your home … Read more
The feature that has the most dramatic effect on a home’s curb appeal isn’t the big tree in the yard or the plantings flanking the walkway. It’s the front door — the first thing guests see upon arrival, and the first impression most people get of a property. So if your front door is a … Read more
You’ve finally found the home that you see yourself living in for many decades to come. Congrats! Before you start ordering new furniture, though, there’s another thing you need to do first: Plant a tree. This key landscape feature is something you’ll be able to watch grow as you grow into your home alongside it. … Read more
A quick heads-up: Note that any specific plants mentioned in this story or any others may be toxic to pets or humans. “Toxic” plants can induce symptoms that range from mild (upset stomach) to severe (possible death). If you have a cat, dog, or kid, make sure you research the plants ahead of time on … Read more
The right garden can be a beautiful addition to a yard, bringing life to a space and turning a house into a home. The wrong plant, however, can kill your house’s curb appeal — or quite literally the rest of the plants in your garden. For those with a green thumb itching to shake things … Read more
Lauren Wellbank Contributor Lauren Wellbank is a freelance writer with more than a decade of experience in the mortgage industry. Her writing has also appeared on HuffPost, Washington Post, Martha Stewart Living, and more. When she’s not writing she can be found spending time with her growing family in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania. … Read more
As a kid, I loved clicking my seatbelt into place, sitting back, and watching houses whiz by the car window as my mum cruised to my grandparents’ house. The 30-minute drive was ample time to study each and every home along the way, from whitewashed Colonials to little Capes with tan vinyl siding. I imagined … Read more