How to Improve Street Appeal

Whether you are selling your home or planning to stay in the same house for many years, knowing how to improve street appeal for your property is vital for stabilizing or increasing your home’s value. If you are not intending to sell and move, adding street appeal to your home on a consistent basis could even set an example for your neighbors and take steps towards improving the look of the neighborhood.

If you are looking to sell, this article should have everything to steer you in the right direction for how to improve curb appeal for your home.

Street appeal projects typically have the best ROI (return on investment) of home improvement projects, particularly if you’re considering selling your home in the next 1-3 years.

Not only can curb appeal make your home more attractive, but it can significantly increase your home’s value if you plan to sell in the near future. Also, an update to your home can also increase the value of the entire neighborhood to prospective buyers.

Here is a list, in no order of importance, of ways to boost your home’s curb appeal:

Here is a list, in no order of importance, of ways to boost your home’s street appeal:

Install New Light Fixtures
Take Care of Your Lawn
Landscaping
Paint (door, trim, house, etc.)
New garage door
SoftWash House and Garage
Inspect/Repair Concrete
Wash Your Driveway, Patios, and Decks
Clean and Arrange Outdoor Furniture
Read on for more details on how to complete all the tasks listed above.

Install New Light Fixtures
Light fixtures are most often the first thing noticed when someone is walking into or past your home when the sun is down. If your current fixtures are in subpar condition or simply outdated, replacing them can go a long way. Make sure to clean up any debris or cobwebs in these areas as well. Whether you are replacing current fixtures or installing makeshift ones with string or wire, this is one of the most cost-effective methods for improving curb appeal.

Take Care of Your Lawn
Keeping your lawn in great condition tops the list when it comes to easy curb appeal projects. When rainfall seems to be relatively scarce, primarily during summer months, make sure to water your grass to prevent it from browning out. Additionally, keep up with mowing the lawn. Overgrown grass creates the idea for your guests and neighbors that maintaining your property is not a priority. Plus we all know kiwis love a great lawn.

Landscaping
One of the best ways to improve street appeal is to modernize your landscape. It may be time to ditch those hedges and opt for different shapes and textures in plants, including those that offer seasonal interest throughout all four seasons of the year.

Paint!
Coupled with light fixtures, your front door is likely the first thing a guest will notice on your home. Painting the front door can greatly improve your home’s street appeal, and it is an inexpensive project. While you are tending to your door, assess whether any trim, or siding can use some sprucing up as well.

New Garage Door
You probably never noticed it since it is usually hard to tell from a distance, but your old garage door can likely use a replacement. Having a new garage door installed can greatly increase the street appeal for your home, especially if you live on a lot where the garage has high visibility from the street. Additionally, replacing the garage door has a solid return on investment when selling the home.

SoftWash the House
Having your house washed professionally is the best way to restore its shine. Throughout the year, surface contaminants like algae, mould, and dirt make their way to your house exterior walls. Soft washing your home will safely eliminate those surface contaminants and get your siding looking like new. When having the house washed, it is recommended to address the roof. If there is any moss or streaking on the roof, having a low-pressure treatment with the proper cleansers will revitalize the surface. When selling your home, having it professionally washed can add upwards of $15,000 in value in our opinion.

Inspect/Repair Concrete
If you notice that the concrete on your driveway, front steps, or patio is crumbling or deteriorating, you should take the proper steps to address those. While having new concrete poured is relatively expensive, safety is what is most important.

Wash Driveway, Decks, and Patios
First, sweep the debris off your patio, driveway, and deck. Once you have swept, you should have these surfaces washed as well. Washing these surfaces will help restore their shine, but make sure to use a safe pressure and the proper cleansers when doing so. If you are not comfortable using a pressure washer, calling a professional power washing company is always a great option.

Clean and Arrange Furniture
Now that your decks and patios are looking fantastic, you likely want the furniture to match. Simply hosing off and gently scrubbing your patio furniture will put you and your guests at ease. Arranging your furniture in an appealing manner will also create a better experience, especially for potential buyers trying to imagine themselves in this space.

How Wash Rite New Zealand Can Help
As previously stated, having your house, roof, driveway, and all exterior surfaces power washed can greatly increase the curb appeal and resale value of your home, but it is extremely time-consuming to do it yourself. The experts at Wash Rite New Zealand have been helping homeowners beautify and maintain their property since 2015 and in that time become New Zealand's largest exterior cleaning company, and we are always happy to help more customers achieve the same exceptional results. Call or click to get a free estimate!