Downsizing and Real Estate Tips for Your Home’s Curb Appeal 3/6/2024 | By Cathy Hobbs If you’re downsizing, you may also be selling your home. Curb appeal – how a home looks from the outside – can impact how much potential buyers like your home, and how much they’re willing to offer. These tips from Cathy Hobbs of Design Recipes can help improve your home’s curb appeal – even if you’re not selling. When it comes to a home, it is often judged both by what is on the inside as well as what is on the outside. First impressions begin with curb appeal as opposed to just when someone enters the home. The outdoor aesthetic is often decided by three key elements: the home exterior, landscaping, and lighting. 3 elements of curb appeal Home exterior The exterior of a home is often an indicator of what one will experience once inside the home. This is where maintenance can play a key role. Design Recipes Curb Appeal Tips: Maintain gutters. Power wash the exterior annually. Implement routine repairs. Landscaping Landscaping can be expensive. As a result, many homeowners on a budget often choose to omit or implement minimal landscaping. Investing in landscaping is a key to enhancing a home’s curb appeal and it doesn’t have to break the bank. Rule of Thumb Choose landscaping that can allow for year-round succession of bloom. The goal is to always have a presence of landscaping during each season of the year. Also, consider incorporating landscape that will grow at varying heights. Lighting From pathways and sidewalks to the home exterior and house numbers, lighting is not only a matter of safety but can also help to enhance the overall look and feel of the curb appeal of a home. While hard wired lights are preferred and relatively inexpensive to install, these days there are also a variety of solar-powered lights that can quickly and easily enhance a home’s appeal. How to make your outdoor lighting bird friendly Design tips for attractive, wildlife-friendly lighting CURB APPEAL CAPTIONS FOR FEATURE IMAGE, TOP: For lasting curb appeal, choose landscaping that can allow for year-round succession of bloom. The goal is to always have a presence of landscaping during each season of the year. Also, consider incorporating landscape that will grow at varying heights. A colorful mix of landscaping that can be enjoyed all year round fills the frontage of this home. (Handout/TNS) SECOND IMAGE: 19 N. Lake Circle 69. New shingles and roofing help to create strong curb appeal for this home. (Handout/TNS) A guide to downsizing with grace Learn more about downsizing and next-step options from Seniors Guide Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design home staging expert and short-term rental/vacation home designer with offices in New York City and The Hudson Valley. Contact her at info@cathyhobbs.com or visit her website at cathyhobbs.com. ©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Read More Cathy Hobbs