So you're looking to sell your Ohio home. Of course, we hope you're not moving away from "The Buckeye State," at least not for good. After all, who can resist the call of the "great water" of the Ohio River? Still, if it's time to move or you're looking to sell an investment property, you may want to advertise more to your potential buyers than just being in Ohio. Here, we discuss how to enhance your home's curb appeal so you can spend less time advertising your home. So, without further ado, let's jump into the topic at hand. 

What Is Curb Appeal?

Simply put, curb appeal is part of your property that catches a future buyer's eye from the curb. Landscaping, siding, roofing, porch furniture, a garage, and more can all be a part of curb appeal. However, unlike interior decorating, where something as simple as an area rug can make or break a room, several factors go into increasing your home's curb appeal. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to update your home's curb appeal in Ohio without picking up your property and moving it next to the nearest Cincinnati Reds game. 

Curb appeal also includes several things outside your control, like how close your home is to local amenities or school districts. But, of course, you can use these factors to leverage your home's value and up your property returns when selling the property. If you're unsure what around your home ups its curb appeal, ask your realtor what factors drive buyer's interest, and consider including any nearby parks, amenities, and more in your listing description. 

Make Small but Impactful Updates

Sometimes even the smallest change can make a big difference regarding curb appeal. For example, updating the color of your door and changing out the hardware can make a huge difference from a distance, especially if the exterior of your home has seen better days. In addition, keeping gutters and your roof clean can also significantly impact your overall curb appeal. 

Another way to highlight your property’s curb appeal is through well-placed outdoor decorations, including furniture. Not only does decorating your porch and any hangout areas with new furniture help prospective buyers envision themselves living in your home, but it can also give you a new favorite relaxation spot in the meantime–it's a win-win! 

Other ways to make a major difference in your home's exterior without spending too much cash include updating window boxes and investing in outdoor lighting. While most home viewings occur during business hours, nothing spices up your home like well-placed lights along pathways and around interesting landscaping. 

Invest in Landscaping

Speaking of landscaping, if your home looks like the back nine at a local golf course, it may be time to invest in some interesting landscaping. While a well-tailored lawn is nothing to scoff at, seasonal blooms that grow back each year can work wonders on your home garden. If you need help figuring out where to start, envision your landscaping as a multilevel display. You want to ensure there's something to catch your visitor's eye at every level.

Even if you don't want to invest in a full landscaping overhaul, you can do a few things to really up your home's curb appeal. Cleaning up dead branches, leaves, and plants and tidying up the edge of your property can go a long way toward increasing your home's value. 

When it comes to selling your home, tidiness is next to godliness, which also applies to the front lawn. Putting in a little extra work caring for your front (and back) lawn can improve your home's appeal, so make sure to go the extra mile before your next open house to make your lawn shine. 

Enhance Key Selling Features

Now that we've covered some ways to upgrade your curb appeal let's look at some easy ways to maintain your home's current aesthetic. First, keep garage doors, driveway, outdoor areas, and lawn clean and decluttered, especially before a showing. While you don't have to go so far as to deep-clean the pavement every time you schedule an open house, a little attention to detail goes a long way. After all, you can't redo a first look, and curb appeal can make or break a house sale. 

If you're working with a real estate agent, check to see which home features they consider top selling points, especially when it comes to curb appeal. It would be best to ensure these features are in top shape and take a moment to give them a once-over before a home showing. 

Note Nearby Amenities 

Another part of curb appeal is nearby amenities. While you don't control how close your home is to the nearest high school or shopping center, these features can really increase your home value. Not only should you take the time to find out what's nearby your property, but listing these locations alongside home features can help make potential buyers feel like they've already moved in. Some nearby key amenities to include are:

• School districts
• Parks and playgrounds
• Hospitals and healthcare centers
• Emergency services
• Shopping centers
• Metropolitan areas
• Sports complexes
  

Of course, some other nearby features could be worth listing, like national monuments or museums, but in general, you should try and keep nearby features to a "best of" list to keep from overwhelming potential buyers. 

Now that you know how to improve your home's curb appeal, you're well on your way to selling your Ohio home. Curb appeal can not only entice a buyer to invest in a higher-priced property, but it can also speed up your sales time and acts as another potential asset when selling your home. If you want to learn more about managing your next home sale, check out our other articles. We provide excellent, innovative guides on all things real estate and work diligently to help make selling your home easier than ever.