
Do you want your house to be the one that everyone on the block admires? If so, you need great curb appeal – and winter is the perfect time to achieve it! Spend a few weekends sprucing up your home, and it will truly look its best by spring. Here are a few top ways our real estate agents suggest boosting your curb appeal in the coming weeks.
- Take Care of Your Lawn
While this may not feel like the season for lawn care, there are a few things you can do to make sure your grass emerges green and beautiful come spring. The first is to scatter a pre-emergent weed killer. These products keep weeds from germinating in the first place. Most home improvement stores carry them; granular formulas are often the easiest to spread.
Also, consider spreading a pest-control product towards the end of winter.
- Replace House Numbers
Are your house numbers old, chipped, or faded? Take a trip to your local home goods store and buy a new set. Look for numbers that are large enough to be visible from the street. This way, visitors (and potential buyers if you're selling!) will have an easier time finding your home.
Sometimes, the paint behind house numbers may be a brighter color than the paint on the rest of your home, which has probably faded in the sun. For this reason, it's usually easiest to put the new numbers right where the old ones were.
- Pressure Wash Siding
The next time there's an unseasonably warm day, pull out the pressure washer. Rinsing all of the grime off your home's facade will give it an instant facelift.
As you pressure wash, make sure you move horizontally across your siding. Work from top to bottom, and avoid spraying upwards, as this can drive water under your siding panels. If you notice any algae or mold on your siding, consider adding a special algicide solution to your power washer's detergent chamber. Otherwise, an all-purpose power-washing solution should do the trick.
- Replace Your Mailbox
If your mailbox is looking worn, outdated, or just a bit boring, this is the perfect time to install a new one. Look for something that matches your home's aesthetic without completely blending in.
You can always put a second set of house numbers on your mailbox, too. If your home is set back from the street, this can make it so much easier to find.
- Trim Hedges and Small Trees
The best time to trim hedges and small, ornamental trees is often in late winter before the trees start budding. If you already see fresh buds, then it's too late; wait until next year.
Trimming your hedges and trees in winter helps ensure they come back fuller and healthier each spring. Focus on removing branches that look dead, diseased, or weak. Use sharp shears, and remember to remove no more than one-third of the branches.
- Rake Garden Beds
If leaves and debris have blown into your garden beds over winter, now is the time to clear them out. Just make sure you rake gently so you don't disturb any living roots or stems. This is also a good time to sprinkle some pre-emergent weed killer on your garden beds.
Tackle a few projects, and your home will look all the better for it. We wish you luck on your home improvement journey. Don't hesitate to contact us if you're in need of real estate services. We can help!