Curb appeal is something that’s a given for residential home sales. Unfortunately, it’s not something that a lot of realtors or banks consider when they’re trying to sell an REO property. They tend to view these kind of properties—often foreclosures—as a curse to be gotten rid of quickly with as little time and money invested as possible.
The catch is this: by investing just a little time and money into the property, you can actually increase your return on investment. It takes very little to do some basic curb appeal work, and it can make all the difference in sales. Discover five ways to effectively boost your REO Property’s Curb Appeal, so that it sells not only faster but gets much higher bids and better ROI.
REO Property Curb Appeal
The big mistake most REO property holders make is to think that it’s very much different from other kinds of properties. It’s true that you may get more investors looking at this kind of property than private buyers, but in the end, certain truths hold. One of these is that curb appeal matters. People judge a book by its cover all the time, and the nicer the house looks at a glance, the better chance you have of securing solid offers.
1. Replace the House Numbers
House numbers cost you less than a hundred bucks for really good quality ones, and a fresh set of them can really make a statement. They can spruce up the overall appearance of a house, taking it from raw to striking in one fell swoop. They make the house look newer, fresher. In fact, they’re often the first thing people see outside of a home.
2. Clean It Up
Keep on top of the regular outside maintenance. Clean up the debris in the yard. In the autumn, rake the leaves. All year round, keep the front porch or entrance tidy. If you’ve got a for sale sign in the yard, keep it clean. If you can, put some inexpensive but nice-looking furniture on the patio. This will dress it up and make it look like it’s got potential. Consider adding some inexpensive solar LED lights to line the walk at night.
3. Take Care of Repairs
Check for things like cracks in the pavement, dry patches in the lawn, and other small repairs that you can do. Anything that will just spruce up the look. It may cost a bit more, but try adding a fresh coat of paint wherever you can. Paint the handrails, the front door, and give the foundation an extra coat of moisture-locking paint.
4. Hit the Yard
Nothing says “abandoned” like an overgrown and out-of-control lawn. Keep the grass cut and trimmed. Make sure you don’t skimp on the edging. Plant perennial or seasonal flowers in the front bed and along the walk. This is the single most important thing you can do—make the yard look neat and groomed.
These are just a few of the most important things you can do to increase the curb appeal of your REO property. None of them are particularly expensive, and all will help you get the home off the market faster and at a better ROI. If you need help in this area, a qualified REO services company like First Freedom Preservation is the way to go. Give us a call today to find out how we can help!
Recent Comments