Have you ever noticed that there are always one or two houses in every neighborhood that stand out from the rest? Somehow, they seem calm and welcoming when you see them from the street, and make you want to get to know the people who live there. Have you ever wondered exactly how these homeowners go about creating a great impression? Here are some ways you can make your house the pride of your street.
Actually, creating curb appeal doesn’t start with your house – it starts with your curb and sidewalk. Debris tends to accumulate along the side of the road, and there is nothing worse than seeing waste paper, sand, pebbles, and cigarette butts clogging things up – it makes it look like you really don’t care. Weeds growing between the cracks make things look even worse. Make sure that you sweep out your curb and go over your sidewalk with a broom at least once a week, and put down weed killer as soon as you see those green shoots start to appear. Also, if any of the concrete is badly cracked or broken, make sure you replace it. You’ll be surprised just how much better your home looks just by taking these few simple steps.
The same principle of keeping things neat and tidy applies when it comes to your landscaping. Make sure that you mow your lawn regularly and that you keep the edges neatly trimmed. While it’s okay to have a more natural look when it comes to trees, plants and flowers, make sure that you don’t end up with any dead leaves on your lawn, or dead or dying foliage in your borders. It’s perfectly possible to create a low maintenance garden this way, as long as you address these types of eyesores.
Winter is a time when your house has an opportunity to shine, particularly when it’s snowing. However, if you just trample through the snow up to your door, then this makes it look like your house isn’t loved. Make sure that you get out your trusty shovel to clear your path – and sidewalk – and put down salt to keep it that way. Also, remember that winter can take a real toll on your driveway, so you may want to reseal it in the spring to give it that pristine appearance.
If your house is painted – rather than having vinyl siding or exposed brick – keep an eye out for any damage and make sure that it is taken care of quickly. Simply put, there is nothing that looks worse on a house than peeling or chipped paint. To make your home look its best again, simply scrape off the affected area and repaint – making sure that the color matches what was there previously. Sun damage also ages painted walls over time. In that case, only a full repaint will do. Also, if your house is plain and uninteresting, consider adding accents to make it more memorable. Whether it’s shutters in Houston or a new porch in Hoboken, adding visual effects such as these can really set your home apart.
It’s also important to keep the exterior of your house clean, especially during the long, dusty summer months. You may be reluctant to do this regularly – after all, running out and renting a power washer is both time-consuming and expensive. However, you really don’t need to do this. You would be surprised at the results you can get simply with some dishwashing liquid, a broom and a hose. Look out for things such as hornets’ nests and cobwebs. These really give your house a disused atmosphere, so the sooner they go, the better.
Finally, pay attention to your roof. This starts with your gutters and downpipes – if these are in disrepair, then it looks bad, and if they become blocked, you could end up with water damage. While you can have your gutters cleaned professionally – and this is a good idea from time to time – you can keep them relatively clean simply with a brush and a ladder. Also pay attention to your roof tiles if you have them – while replacing tiles can be a bit of a job, damaged ones on your roof make your house look absolutely dilapidated. Not only that, but if the damage is severe, it can let water into your attic and do considerable damage – at a minimum, you will end up with a damp and unhealthy environment inside.
