Making The Most Of Curb Appeal

As more home buyers and real estate agents use the internet to research properties, first impressions are more important than ever. Before scheduling appointments or visiting open houses, home buyers and their agents will often drive by homes for sale and make assessments based on the exterior. More often than not, if a home buyer doesn’t like the outside of a home, they won’t care to see the inside. Yet, it is possible to dramatically alter the appearance of your home with a few simple tasks. As you prepare to list your home, consider implementing some of the tips mentioned here to maximize your property’s curb appeal.

Before you begin making repairs to the exterior of your home, you may want to analyze your home from a distance. Look at your home from across the street and try to pinpoint the best and worst qualities of the property. As you walk towards your home, try to make note of both your first impressions and any elements that stand out.

When looking at your home from the exterior, you may also want to compare its appearance to other homes in the neighborhood. While you may feel as if you know the details of your home intimately, this step can help you think like a potential buyer and assist you in maximizing the curb appeal.When it is time to get to work, you should approach the exterior of your home in the same way you would a bedroom or kitchen. Just as you wouldn’t want a prospective home buyer to see dirty dishes in your sink, you want to make sure the front of your home is as attractive as possible. While the chores associated with maximizing curb appeal will differ from home to home, the following are the most common and effective methods of enticing potential buyers indoors for a closer look:

• Paint – Perhaps the most effective of all pre-sale repairs, a simple coat of paint to the exterior, doors and shutters can make your home appear well cared for and in good condition. When painting the exterior of the home, you may also want to consider if new door knobs and other hardware could boost the appearance of your home. If you don’t replace any of the metal on the exterior of your home, polishing brass hardware and cleaning or painting iron fences can also give your home a fresh look.


• Lawn – There are a number of landscaping tricks that may improve the curb appeal of your home. First, the lawn should be mowed, raked and edged. Next, try to thoroughly weed all planter boxes, trim larger plants and include some extra flowers near the front of the house. If any large trees hang over your home or obscure the view from the street, you may want to cut away some large branches. You may also want to consider investing some extra money into landscaping by hiring professionals to make your front yard as attractive as possible.


• Windows and Gutters – Much like the fresh paint applied to the exterior, taking time to clean the windows can certainly change the appearance of your home. Likewise, try to keep your rain gutters free of leaves and debris as you never know where a potential home buyer might look.


• Driveway – If you have an old, cracked driveway, hiring a professional to reseal the surface can add to your home’s curb appeal. If the driveway rests in direct sight in front of the home, this step can become even more important.
  Lighting – As potential home buyers could drive by your property at any time, you want to make sure your home is inviting at night. By installing a street lamp and a front porch light – both of which should match the style of your home – you will dramatically boost your home’s 24/7 curb appeal. If you anticipate potential home buyers coming onto the property after dark, calm lighting that lines the driveway and path to the front door can put your visitors at ease.


• Pressure Clean – This process can be applied to both the exterior of the home and the driveway. Just one treatment can eliminate years of dirt, mold and mildew from your property.

If you need to improve the curb appeal of your home before putting it up for sale, the best tool could be your ability to think like a buyer. By repairing or minimizing your property’s flaws and drawing attention to key selling points, you may be surprised by the responses you receive from potential home buyers.

The staff at Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC writes select articles about important topics related to real estate. For more information about buying a home or selling your current property, visit ColdwellBanker.com today.

Visit the Sellers section of our website for more information. We are here to help you with all of your real estate needs! Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.

Come visit these Washington houses on Sunday!

We will have 3 houses open in Washington on Sunday, March 21st from 2 - 4!

1405 Willow, Washington
Magnificent 2 story almost new construction in Bristol Park. Very open floor plan in this 4 bedroom and 2-1/2 bath home with a brick fireplaced Great Room, Kitchen with Corian countertops, Formal Dining, Informal Dining, & main floor laundry. This home offers hardwood and ceramic tile floors, arched doorways, rounded corners, vaulted ceilings, tray ceilings, 9’ ceilings on the main level and a 9’ basement. All 4 bedrooms are upstairs including a Master Suite with 2 walk in closets. The Master Bath has dual sinks, a walk-in shower, and a corner whirlpool tub and private commode. The main upstairs bath also has dual sinks. The entire yard has been sodded. Move right in! $264,900 See the listing for more details.

1916 Deer Lane, Washington
Come take a look at this very well maintained 3 bedroom 2 full bath ranch in Washington. The master bedroom has his & her closets and the master bath has dual sinks. The basement is finished including a family room and a den/office. There have been numerous updates including flooring, light fixtures inside and out, interior paint, newer sump pump, and more. The yard has been professionally landscaped by Greenview. The backyard has a deck and a patio!$179,900 See the listing for more details.

248 Briargate, Washington
Come take a look at this 4 bedroom 2 full bath home in Washington. This home has had several updates over the past few years including windows, insulation, paint, flooring, and more. There is a deck for entertaining off of the kitchen that leads to the fenced backyard. There is also a 2 car garage. $114,900 See the listing for more details.

Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.

Looking for a home in Mackinaw?

115 Tulip, Mackinaw

Quality abounds in this magnificent 2500 square foot 2 story home with a wooded backyard sitting on a cul-de-sac. Custom built by Glen Frank, this is his personal home. If you are looking for plenty of space, this is it. Room sizes are very generous. The main floor offers a very open floor plan with 9 foot ceilings, fully applianced kitchen, living room, fireplaced family room and laundry room. All 4 bedrooms are upstairs. The master has his/her closets, his/her sinks, whirlpool tub, shower, and private commode. The home has Andersen windows and high efficiency furnace and water heater. 9 foot basement. $229,900 See the listing for more details. Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.

1005 Brighton, Mackinaw

Very nice 1-1/2 story home built by Glen Frank. This 3 bedroom 2-1/2 bath home offers a main floor master bedroom with a walk in closet and dual sinks, a huge eat in kitchen, a half bath, and a great room with a gas log fireplace. The upstairs has 2 jack and jill bedrooms with the full bath between them. Andersen windows throughout. The sliding glass door leads to a 12 x 12 deck, and the huge backyard is completely fenced in. $169,900 See the listing for more details. Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.

Two New Listings in Washington

1405 Willow, Washington
Magnificent 2 story almost new construction in Bristol Park. Very open floor plan in this 4 bedroom and 2-1/2 bath home with a brick fireplaced Great Room, Kitchen with Corian countertops, Formal Dining, Informal Dining, & main floor laundry. This home offers hardwood and ceramic tile floors, arched doorways, rounded corners, vaulted ceilings, tray ceilings, 9’ ceilings on the main level and a 9’ basement. All 4 bedrooms are upstairs including a Master Suite with 2 walk in closets. The Master Bath has dual sinks, a walk-in shower, and a corner whirlpool tub and private commode. The main upstairs bath also has dual sinks. The entire yard has been sodded. Move right in! $264,900. See the listing for more details. Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.



1916 Deer Lane, Washington
Come take a look at this very well maintained 3 bedroom 2 full bath ranch in Washington. The master bedroom has his & her closets and the master bath has dual sinks. The basement is finished including a family room and a den/office. There have been numerous updates including flooring, light fixtures inside and out, interior paint, newer sump pump, and more. The yard has been professionally landscaped by Greenview. The backyard has a deck and a patio! $179,900. See the listing for more details. Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.

Just Listed in Lake of the Woods!

742 W Wonderview Drive, Dunlap
5 bedroom, 2 ½ bath quad level home located on the lake! This home offers two decks overlooking the lake, a patio, a dock for your paddle boat or swimming from, a wood burning fireplace, master bedroom sweet, formal dining room, a partial finished basement with egress window and walk-out, large family room and living room, attached garage and updated furnace and water heater. $189,900 See the listing for more details. Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.

Open Sunday

Come see us Sunday from 2 - 4 at one of these beautiful homes!

2502 W Carlisle Lane, Dunlap
Do not miss this amazing 4 bedroom 2.5 bath Signature Home Located in Wynncrest Subdivision. The home was built in 2008, and has a large corner lot with full sod. All four bedrooms are located upstairs, 3 of which have walk in closets. The master suite has a whirlpool tub and double vanity, vaulted ceilings and double walk in closets. The unique side load garage gives the house a nice appearance. The kitchen has granite counter tops and Amish cabinets and comes fully applianced. The washer and dryer stay. The landscaping is completed and the radon Mitigation system is installed. Just move right in. $254,900 See the listing for more details.

1133 W Elm Street, Chillicothe
Come take a look at this well built all brick 4 bedroom 2 full bath home in Mullen Manor. This home has been extensively remodeled from top to bottom. The updates include the roof, doors, windows, ceramic tile, light and bath fixtures and so much more. The full bath up has a tiled shower and double bowl vanity with granite tops. The living room offers a wood burning fireplace and the beautiful original hardwood floors. Three of the bedrooms also have hardwood floors and the master has a walk in closet. There is new carpet in the family room, rec room, and 4th bedroom. All appliances stay including washer and dryer. $189,900. See the listing for more details.

4932 N Glenaire Ct, Peoria Heights
Very nice 2 bedroom ranch with basement and 2 car garage. This is in move-in condition and sits on a cul de sac in Peoria Heights. The office could be used as a third bedroom or a nursery. The laundry is currently on the main floor, but could be put back in the basement. The central air was new in 2007. The entire roof was torn off including shingles and sheathing and replaced on the house and the garage in 2005. Come take a look! $98,900 See the listing for more details.

If you have any questions, email or call us at 309-657-0063.

What is Home Staging?

When you put your home up for sale it becomes a product. Similar to a product on the shelf at your local store, your home has features and benefits as well as potential drawbacks. It also has competition. Home staging prepares your home for sale by accentuating its advantages and minimizing its flaws. It gives you the edge in a competitive market, so you can sell faster and get top dollar for your home. If you want to sell your home fast while maximizing the selling price, home staging is the answer.

No matter what your home’s age, price or location, whether it is plain or professionally decorated, Staging will work for you! That’s because an Accredited Staging Professional™ focuses exclusively on designing a plan that will generate the maximum amount of offers, not around personal taste. The Gillespie Group offers a FREE Staging Consultation when you list your home with us. To learn more, check out Staging Your Home in the Sellers section of our website. Tara Gillespie, an Accredited Staging Professional™, is always available for questions through the blog, email, or by phone at 309-657-1038 .