« Back to BOE Blogs

It's all about the Curb Appeal

Published: June 2018
Author: Bank of England Mortgage Staff

Summer is here! It's time to free yourself and get outdoors so you can enjoy the exterior of your home for a change. When you do get out there, you might find it is time to upgrade your home and give it a little more curb appeal so you can welcome your guests in style, or even enjoy the view from your front porch with a glass of iced tea. Here are some tips to help you give your home more curb appeal!

Paint the front door
This season front door colors are all the rage, because it's not only an opening to your home – it's an insight to your personality. There's something to be said about the visual appeal of a brightly-colored front door. This is a great budget friendly way to update curb appeal without having to pay the cost of an entirely new door! Consider the color of the home's facade and choose something that will complement it.

Tend to the greenery
Walk around the property and take notes of any areas that looks damaged or worn. Pick up debris or fallen branches that may have landed on the grass or in flower beds. Trim tree limbs and tend to the flower beds by removing any plants that

may have died. If you think your yard is in need of some flair, you can add colorful flowers to greatly enhance curb appeal! They are appealing to the eye and make everything look brighter and more welcoming. Lastly, don't forget to give your lawn a manicure by mowing and trimming edges.

Wash off the dirt
The winter and spring months are hard on a home. It's time to take care of the inevitable build-up of dirt and grime with a thorough cleaning! Consider renting a power washer to get the grime off of the exterior walls, driveways and walkways. Make the entrance to your home obvious. An unclear pathway littered with overgrown greenery is both unattractive and confusing for visitors.

Make the windows sparkle
One of the simplest ways to make your home summer ready is to accentuate your windows by cleaning the inside and outside for a sparkly clean view. Add shutters to either side and paint them a color that complements the rest of the exterior. You can also add flower boxes under each window to add a fun pop of color!

Replace light fixtures
Adding landscape lighting can really enhance the beauty of your home and provide safety. Many homes are built with inexpensive fixtures that simply get the job done. New fixtures, with clear domes and new bulbs, will light up the outside and have a beautiful appearance. Many lighting systems are solar powered, eliminating the need for extensive electrical work!

Spruce up your mailbox
A lot of homeowners forget about updating the mailbox, but it says something about the maintenance of your home too. You can quickly spruce it up with a fresh coat of paint and make the necessary repairs or replace it entirely. Sometimes doing a little project can have a big impact when it comes to curb appeal!