How to give your property kerb appeal

Selling your home means making sure that it’s attractive to buyers. While putting out fresh flowers in the kitchen and spring cleaning your carpets can have an impact, there’s also something to be said for improving the kerb appeal of your home.

It’s often noted you only have one chance to make a good first impression, and this is certainly the case when it comes to attracting buyers to your Carlton real estate. Giving your home some real kerb appeal will not only impress anyone who comes to view your property, but it might also encourage passers-by to take a closer look.

Here are some of the top ways you can give your property for sale the wow factor.

Gardening could improve the kerb appeal of your home.

Tidy up those rough edges

Does your front door need painting? Are there cracked paving slabs that could do with replacing? These are all jobs that you can carry out easily and relatively inexpensively that have the potential to make a positive lasting impression.

Figures from IBISWorld show that 75 per cent of home renovations are cosmetic – and with good reason. No buyer wants to see your property for the first time and create a mental tick list of all the jobs they will need to carry out. Some simple touch-ups could be all you need to give the right impression.

Get green-fingered

If your property has a garden, then now is the time to give it some attention. It doesn’t matter whether you have a large space or something more contained, buyers will like to see the potential of the area they’re confronted with.

The type of garden you present might depend on the type of demographic likely to be interested in your home when they move to Melbourne. The Grow Your Own report from The Australia Institute found that 48 per cent of Australian households with children under the age of 11 use their garden – and in particular grow their own food – they see it as an opportunity to spend time together.

If you do plan on targeting the family market, then large, paved areas are unlikely to be as attractive as grassed sections where children can play.

No buyer wants to see your property for the first time and create a mental tick list of all the jobs they will need to carry out.

Put yourself in their shoes

Imagine yourself as a property buyer approaching your home for the first time. What aspects strike you most? You might also want to take a walk around your neighbourhood to get an idea of what people in similar homes have achieved if you’re out of inspiration on how to improve your kerb appeal.