How to increase the kerb appeal of your Tavistock or Okehampton home

It takes just seconds for the human brain to form a first impression, whether that’s of a person when you meet them for the first time, when choosing your next read in the bookshop or when scrolling the property portals looking for your dream home. And the reason these first impressions are so important? Most of us have learnt to trust these first impressions or gut instincts, as studies have shown that our first impressions are about 76% accurate.

So when it comes to selling your home in Okehampton or Tavistock, its essential that that first impression is a great one, whether through the photos in the online listing or in person at a viewing – it isn’t just your interior that needs to wow potential buyers but your exterior too. At Miller Town & Country we have put together some ideas on how to increase your home’s kerb appeal.

Add some colour

“Homes that offer a front garden carry a 4 per cent property price premium versus those without, and that equates to more than £11,000 in the current market,” states Colby Short, CEO of estate agent comparison site getagent.co.uk. We recognise that not all homes in West Devon have a front garden, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t add some touches to give that impression. We are now in spring and flowers are starting to bloom, and what makes a property stand out more than a colourful welcome?

Hanging baskets, window boxes and tubs are easy ways to easily spruce up your kerb appeal without the need for actual flower beds. And if you are lucky enough to have garden space out front, spend a little time to clear out any dead foliage and plant some colourful bedding to add a welcoming pop of colour.

Tip-top condition

If you do have a front garden, even one that you just treat as a space to be passed through on the way to the front door, now’s the time to step back and view it with a critical eye and take care of any needed maintenance

• Fix any broken fences or gates, and add a fresh lick of paint for wow-factor
• Clean the windows and window frames. If you have wooden frames, make sure there isn’t any flaking paint – a buyer might think the windows need replacing when all it takes is a fresh coat of paint to help them look as good as new
• Power wash paving and driveways to remove the winter grime and pull up any weeds that have moved in
• Ensure there’s an easy and welcoming route to the front door – you might not use that door much, but it’s the way buyers will approach your house
• Make sure the lawn is looking healthy and is neatly cut, and that trees, shrubs and hedges are not overgrown and obscuring the wonderful home behind
• Clear out any lingering leaves from low-level gutters and make sure that downspouts are connected and draining properly.

Anything in the front garden that hints of an owner who doesn’t take care of routine maintenance can raise red flags with buyers about problems they might find on the inside of the home, and can go as far as influence them not to view the property after all.

Avoid distractions

One top tip is to try to conceal or at least minimize the appearance of your bins - they are a big turn-off to potential buyers as they are reminders of the hum-drum of everyday life.

You’re trying to paint a picture of the perfect lifestyle a buyer could have in your home rather than reminding them that there will still be boring and practical jobs to do around the house like taking the rubbish out. The often bright colours of wheelie bins tend to draw the eye, making them and their associations the focal point rather than your lovely home, so tuck them out of the way!

Have a memorable front door

Your front door is where a buyer’s eyes are initially drawn; it is the centre of your kerb appeal and, therefore, it needs to grab their attention. The key is to consider the style and location of your property as well as who you think your ideal buyer might be.

If your street or neighbourhood is favoured by younger couples or families, then perhaps go bold with a statement colour like red or yellow, plus a planter with coordinating colour flowers for maximum impact. If you instead have a period home in a rural location, perhaps a soft sage green would be more in-keeping. And if you have a more modern home, a dark grey-blue would create a striking first impression. Whatever colour you choose, make sure that the great first impression is upheld by high quality and complementary fixtures like the handle, doorbell and letterbox.

Get noticed

If you are looking to sell your property this year, make sure it is Instagram ready. You want buyers to stop and take notice, and by making some changes, you can quickly and easily improve your home’s kerb appeal. For more advice on adding value to your property contact our team today on 01822 617243 (Tavistock) or 01837 54080 (Okehampton).