Fence Installation & Symmetry: Home Improvements to Make Pre-Sale

When driving around neighborhoods checking out homes, you have probably noticed how some places immediately jump out at you (in a good way), while other houses barely earn a glance. As for what sets visually appealing homes apart from their lackluster counterparts, the answer is simple: curb appeal.

If, after returning home from your drive, you look at your own home and realize its front is more meh than marvelous, it might be time to up its curb appeal too. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to boost your home’s “eye-catching-ness”—and some of the methods are quite budget-friendly. For example, check out the following ideas:

Paint the Front Door, Trim and/or Shutters
To boost your home’s curb appeal, start with a relatively easy and affordable paint job—but only in certain spots. For example, paint your front door a vivid shade that complements the colors of the home, and/or do the same to your shutters. If your trim is on the boring side, you can consider changing the shade to something more interesting. For example, repaint your tan trim brick red, forest green, blue or dark brown.

Upgrade Your Fence
If your front yard contains fencing, a great way to improve your home’s curb appeal is by replacing it with a more upscale fence. As Doug Bonderud notes in an article, start by calling at least a couple of local fence installation companies to ask about receiving a free estimate. Do a Google search for “fencing companies near me.” If you wish to have privacy fencing on the sides of your home and then a more open picket fence in front, communicate your desire to the fencing pro and ask him or her to adjust the estimate accordingly. As for cost, the bottom line will depend on what types of material you use. If you are looking for a more visually appealing fence installation for your front yard, you may wish to choose a gorgeous wood, which runs around $16 a foot, rather than chain-link, which is slightly less at $13 a foot.

Buy a Snazzy New Mailbox
According to DIY Network, replacing your old mailbox with a new one is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to add curb appeal. Double check your city’s rules about mailbox placement and act accordingly; you might be able to upgrade to a curb model made of painted metal or mount a shiny new mailbox on the wall next to your newly-painted front door.

Think Symmetrically
Items that are symmetrical are very pleasing to the eye. Use this to your advantage and boost your home’s curb appeal by using this approach as much as you can. As Better Homes and Gardens suggests, buy two stylish new light fixtures and mount one on each side of the front door, and invest in matching flower urns filled with the same types of flowers and plants. These accents will also create an entryway that welcomes visitors to your door.

Add Some Weatherproof Artwork
Visually appealing items like bird baths, fountains, wind chimes and metal sculptures are all great ways to improve the look of your front yard. If you live in a neighborhood with an HOA, you might have to get permission for these items—you don’t want to shell out the money for a gorgeous bird bath only to be told it has to go. Place whatever outdoor art you select in areas where they can easily be spotted from the road, and select items that will complement the style and colors of your home.

Your Curb Appeal Will Skyrocket in No Time
By incorporating a freshly painted door, new fencing, mailbox, symmetrical light fixtures, and outdoor art, your home will soon be bursting with curb appeal. Your neighbors are sure to notice the attractive improvements you are making, and maybe a driver or two will honk as they drive by and give you a thumbs up.