Summer is in full swing and that means those pesky outdoor maintenance projects you put off during the colder months are fair game again. You might be considering new exterior paint color, fresh landscaping, or new patio furniture, but which projects have the biggest payoff?

“The interior of a home is as important as the curb appeal,” says Jose Cardenas, a Global Real Estate Advisor with Premier Sotheby's International Realty. “Many stagers concentrate on the inside but we know that the first picture is the front of the home, so the curb appeal is paramount. Fresh colorful flowers and fresh mulch go very far.”

As you contemplate outdoor upgrades, keep in mind this list of top curb appeal projects that can earn you money back down the line when you go to sell. 

When it comes to selling your home, simple upgrades to the exterior of your property can boost interest and get eyes on your listing. “It's important to have an attractive exterior to get people through the door to view the interior,” says broker Svetlana Choi of Coldwell Banker Warburg.

“Just as a dash of lipstick and a swipe of mascara can magically transform a sleepy face into date-ready dazzle, sprucing up a home’s curb appeal can similarly turn a drab dwelling into a real estate head-turner,” says Mike Kenney, broker/owner with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Kenney & Company.

Of course, some more intensive projects can also lead to high returns down the line as well as major perks for you while you’re still living at your home and enjoying the space. 

Cardenas says artificial turf is becoming increasingly popular in Florida because it’s easy to maintain and makes for a high visual impact. It’s also being used in driveways. “Driveways are getting reimagined. It's no longer the plain boring cracked concrete. It is a combination of stone with turf,” he says. “Incorporate more design into the plain large solid surface.”

In general, buyers are also very interested in environmentally friendly and sustainable landscaping known as xeriscaping. This trend is in part spurred by local ordinances in regions where water use is highly regulated.

In addition to various plantings, Kenney says upgraded lighting, including LED backlit address placards, is popular. “These trends reflect a growing preference for eco-friendly and technologically equipped homes,” he says. 

Home entryways are also getting facelifts. “Covered front door areas are increasing with the era of delivery packages,” Cardenas points out. “One must now design where to store (packages) and how to protect your deliveries while you get to them.”

No matter which of these popular updates you’re looking to tackle, there’s a new tool at your disposal. “Artificial intelligence is helping homeowners visualize the potential of what the front and back can look like,” Cardenas says. Look for online tools to help your design process or ask your real estate agent about how AI can help you design your space. 

Curb appeal might seemingly refer to aesthetic elements of a home, but Bryson Taggart, Opendoor agent partner and realtor, says it has a larger influence on a buyer’s subconscious. 

“With buyers touring an average of 23 homes, first impressions are critical,” he says. “Homes with an off-putting front door color or a messy landscape will detract buyers. Curb appeal can show how much pride a seller takes in the home, and make it much easier to sell.”

Below are some timeless upgrades that tend to increase interest in a home no matter the current trends.

1. Landscaping

When it comes to curb appeal, landscaping is king. “According to our 2024 Home Decor Report, the best ways to maximize curb appeal include a freshly landscaped lawn (40%), boasting neatly trimmed plants and brush (25%), and focusing on the color of the house itself (19%),” Taggart says.

Cardenas says landscaping should incorporate native plants for your region, incorporating any views on your lot as wow factors. “Don't hide the house with the landscaping,” he says. “It's like a haircut. It will feel renewed with a new look. And make the front door the center of attention—it will make it feel welcoming.”

Of course, you don't have to go out and get new mulch and plants to make improvements to your current landscaping. Sometimes a simple cleanup works wonders. 

“Make sure the shrubs are pruned nicely and there are underplantings if there is room,” says broker Ellen Sykes of Coldwell Banker Warburg. “In the garden behind the house, any leaves or detritus from the winter should be swept away. If the plantings are looking a little sparse, add some; annuals don’t cost very much, but they add color.”

2. Fresh Paint

Painting your home’s front door, fence, and other exterior features is often the easiest way to give your home a facelift. And it pays off. Taggart says 9 out of 10 consumers report that the exterior color of a home impacts their potential purchase.  

“Check the front door—it may need a fresh coat of paint or even a different color to make it stand out,” Sykes says. “Planted window boxes on the first two floors make the house look fresh and welcoming, especially in the front courtyard of any house.”

If you’re looking to refresh the inside of your home with paint, stick with neutral colors. “While some love fun, bright hues on their walls, most buyers prefer more subtle tones,” Taggart says, suggesting white or gray tones indoors or more subtle versions of today’s trendy colors including dusty rose, eggshell yellow, or pale blue.

3. Staging

Curb appeal can also be improved with proper staging of outdoor spaces using patio furniture and accessories. 

“If you have the space for chairs, this is a great way to make the entryway more inviting and to show off the additional space as a fun way to greet guests,” Taggart says. “Incorporate landscape lighting. Lighting provides safety, and illuminates the walkway to your home to create an inviting entry.”

As Sykes points out, the curb appeal a potential buyer sees outside the home sets the stage for what they can expect inside a home. “Good curb appeal means a seamless transition from outside to inside,” Sykes says. “There are no jarring notes that stick in people’s minds before they even open the front door. Even if you have an immaculate staged home, if the outside is problematic even in little ways, it affects the buyer’s subconscious.”

As you contemplate upgrades to your home for resale, be sure to budget for curb appeal specifically. “I would suggest 20-25% of your overall budget for improvements in preparing a property for the market as a ballpark,” Choi suggests. 

That budget is likely to come back to you when you sell your home.

“For sellers that invest and upkeep their landscape, buyers can attach anywhere from roughly 5% to 12% more value—depending on where you live—to a home with a cared-for landscape,” Taggart says. “And the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) estimate that ‘applying mulch annually, mowing about 2,800 square feet of lawn, pruning shrubs, and planting about 60 annuals or perennials costs about $3,000—but has a 100% return on investment (ROI) upon selling.’” 

NAR also found that upgrades such as an outdoor kitchen, new patio, and overall landscape upgrade have 95% or more return on investment, Taggart adds. 

Of course, you won’t likely add a new kitchen or patio to your home as you prepare to sell, but it might be helpful to know that those projects you take on will not only be enjoyable for you but a big perk for future buyers and your wallet. 

“When you are selling your home, anything that helps makes it look as good as possible. Remember that you have a very short period of time to grab the buyer’s attention,” Sykes says. “Buyers might not know immediately what they like, but within five seconds, they know what they don’t want.”

Done correctly, curb appeal can be the difference between getting a deal or not, and can reflect positively on the value of your home. “The curb appeal pays off on day one whether or not it adds value on the appraiser’s book,” Cardenas says. “This is the first impression that the buyers will fall in love with and the one the homeowner will look at every day as they return home from a long day.”

When budgeting for improvements, Kenney suggests consulting with your real estate agent to ensure you're focusing on fixes that will garner offers should you look to sell. “Addressing any maintenance issues should be a priority, followed by aesthetic improvements that align with current trends and buyer preferences,” he says. 

Source: These Are the Top Curb Appeal Updates for 2024, According to Experts Better Homes & Gardens (April 20, 2024) Kristine Gill