Quick curb appeal wins on a shoestring budget
Hey Cora, what a simple way, that I can improve the exterior look of my home. Simple and cheap! Signed simple and cheap,
Dear Cheap,
Oh honey, pull up a lawn chair and let’s sip on some budget-friendly lemonade while we fix up that home of yours! We’re going to give your place a glow-up that’ll make the neighbors wonder if HGTV finally visited Alaska. Let’s go season by season, shall we?
🌞 Summer – a.k.a. “Front Yard Glow-Up Season”
- Hanging baskets! You only need a couple to bring the wow. Get some red and yellow blooms (they scream “notice me!”), hang them with cheapo hooks ($5 or less), and boom — Insta-worthy entrance! Baskets can be spendy, so keep them watered – every day, or I may have to come over there!
- Re-stain or just “wash” your front porch. If the porch is peeling like sunburn, paint it. If it’s holding up, give it a bath. Either way, it’s a very simple improvement. Give the kids a bucket of soapy water on a warm summer day and let them just go to town with scrub brushes, brooms or even a squeegee.
- That front door? It needs to pop, darling! (and I don’t mean a soda) It needs an eye pop of color with a trendy vibe for sure. Download the Sherwin-Williams app and go wild. Don’t forget the trim (a.k.a. door eyeliner).
- Mow the lawn. Seriously. No jungle vibes — just suburban charm. I know you want to go play in Alaska during the summer, so hire the kid down the street that wants new video games! Don’t forget the weed eater!
🍂 Fall – Goodbye Flamingos, Hello Rakes
- If it doesn’t belong in a home listing photo, hide it. Bikes, boats, boomboxes, barn doors, broken Buick — begone!
- Gutters full? Clean them out before winter, it’s a dirty job but it’s only twice a year – you can make this happen.
- Mow one last time and retire the summer flowers. Bonus points if you light up old baskets with twinkle lights like a Pinterest pro. This is an easy way to avoid having to store those old flower baskets for next year.
- Trash that rotted pumpkin. He had a good run, but it’s over.
❄️ Winter – Snow, Sparkles & Storage Disasters
- Shovel paths like your listing depends on it. Because… it does. Keeping the house free of snow opens it up to be seen, even in the darkest days of winter. Make sure there is plenty of room for parking. When someone wants to see your house or buy your house there are at least 2 cars going to be in the driveway, make sure there is enough room.
- Decorate with restraint. Think of cozy celebrations, not holiday explosions. Too many decorations can make the house look small and cluttered. Keep it tasteful, not over the top.
- Don’t let Snowzilla block access to anything important (like the shed with the Christmas lights). The gas meter, the mailbox, the side entry as well as the front, need to be clear of snow, ice, mud, snow berms, easy access is what we are looking for.
- Let there be light — everywhere. Porch, garage, walkway. Let your house shine like Rudolph’s nose! But probably not red….
🌱 Spring – Where Mud Meets Mayhem
- As snow melts, it reveals “treasures.” Old sleds? Broken shovels? Retired snowmachines? Those old pallets that you needed for that “special” project, you know the one. Out they go!
- Broom that mud right out of your driveway. It’s free cardio. Who needs the gym when there is springtime in Alaska! Mud and house for sale don’t go together. The only things that go with mud are wrestling and pies.
- Ice humps — the enemy of ankles and dignity. Chip them like your sale depends on it. Nothing spells “welcome to my slippery driveway of back breaking horrors” quite like a half melted, half frozen ice hump looming from the pavement.
- And finally, deal with the Doggy Doo Towers. We all see them, we know what they are, everyone has them, they are not fooling anyone…… It’s time. Scoop like a hero.
There you have it: clean, cheerful, and cheap! Now go forth and beautify. And when you’re ready to sell, call me — because yes, experience still matters.