I am sure most of you know that the real estate market has changed and it takes much longer to sell a home. So, the little and big things you should think about before placing your home on the market. I would be happy to sit down with you and review some items if you are thinking of selling. So, let’s start with CURB APPEAL.

They say that “first impressions mean everything”, and that’s especially true when it comes to your home. But that impression doesn’t begin at the front door, it starts in your front yard. Even without an HOA, your neighbors notice the condition of your yard.  A neglected front yard may discourage prospective buyers from stopping to view the property.  This has happened to me several times when working with my buyers.

Here are six front yard choices that could be sabotaging your home's curb appeal and making your whole home look less appealing.

Too Much Junk

Your front yard is your property to treat as you wish, but that doesn't mean you should use it like a storage unit.  This is the number one mistake most people make with their front yards, leaving things like deteriorating furniture or even old cars just sitting there.

“Yards that are crammed with items like recreational equipment, tools, bikes, and the like do not convey the sense of style and orderliness that are critical to curb appeal,” says Kevin Lenhart, head of design at Yardzen.

Another item that falls into this category is toys. “As a parent to young kids, I know that yards end up jammed with toys," Lenhart says. "That’s fine. It’s a higher priority for kids to play outside than it is for the yard to remain constantly pristine. Just have them clean up.”

Lack of Landscaping

Landscaping is time-consuming if you do it yourself and expensive if you hire someone else. But overgrown plants and trees instantly kill curb appeal. I have tried to sell a past client’s home but the front yard was so overgrown that it was dark, and you could barely see the house!!  After lingering on the market for some time, the owners finally took down some of the trees and brush. Within six weeks, they sold the house.

Unusual Decor Choices

Your home is yours to decorate on the inside, but don’t forget that everyone else can see the outside. While your neighbors may not have the same appreciation for your cactus collection as they do for their own hydrangea bushes, some choices may be more polarizing. This doesn’t mean that you need to rid your yard of your personal style, but if you want to stay in the good graces of your neighbors, consider moving those nude statues to your backyard instead.

Holiday Decorations

While the holiday season is, for many, the most wonderful time of the year, the celebratory decorations should be packed up shortly after the New Year’s hangover lifts. Keeping those giant Santa statues or other inflatable lawn decorations out year-round can read more like lazy and neglectful rather than cheery and festive. “A front yard should feel intentional and cohesive, not like a Pinterest board gone rogue," says an expert at Furniture.com.

Wind Chimes

While you might find the sound of wind chimes soothing, Nicole Jensen, interior designer at Murphy Door, tells me your neighbors may feel differently. “Wind chimes might seem charming to some, but if they’re large or constantly noisy, they can be a sensory turn-off, especially for prospective buyers," she says.

General Lack of Maintenance

If the front of your home shows signs of maintenance neglect, that can make a less-than-favorable first impression. We know, life gets busy, but it’s your home—take pride in it! Touch up or repaint your front door as needed, repair cracked concrete steps, remove dead plants, and give that patio furniture a good hosing down every now and then

If you are planning to sell within the near future, call,text or email me and I would love to provide you insights to help you sell faster and more money.