Mission style Stained wood front door with beveled glass surrounded by two Adirondack chairs and flowers

Buyers start forming a first impression as they drive up to your home, so here are five curb appeal basics you can’t afford to ignore.

5 Curb Appeal Basics You Can’t Afford to Ignore

First things first: you have to clean up your yard before you list your home for sale. That means removing toys, tools and other items that belong in the shed, cutting the grass, power washing your driveway and sidewalk, and conducting general maintenance around flowerbeds and bushes.

But you can take things a step farther (and impress buyers more) by putting these five curb appeal basics to use:

Invest in a new mailbox and house numbers
Dress up your hardware
Create a comfy space on the porch
Update your lighting
Make an “instant garden”

Scroll down for a closer look at each.

$995,000

5 Bedrooms
6 Bathrooms
5,748 Sq Ft
8.870 Acres

1700 N Newton St. Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Larry Carpenter III from Carpenter Realty LLC.

$469,000

4 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
3,020 Sq Ft
0.606 Acres

329 Maplecrest Boulevard Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Trae Dauby from Dauby Real Estate.

$417,500

3 Bedrooms
5 Bathrooms
3,404 Sq Ft
1 Acres

1100 N Bluegrass Lane Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Kevin Bayer from RE/MAX Local.

$410,000

3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
2,940 Sq Ft
2.530 Acres

634 E Wright Road Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Stacey Hurst from RE/MAX REVOLUTION.

$400,000

4 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
3,490 Sq Ft
0.371 Acres

307 Newton Street Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Tama Stemle from RE/MAX Local.

$336,000

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1,502 Sq Ft
0.344 Acres

900 Juniper Court Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Dara O'Neil from F.C. TUCKER EMGE.

$287,500

3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
2,070 Sq Ft
0.399 Acres

1622 Sugar Pine Drive Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Kathy Rowekamp from RE/MAX Local.

$282,999

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1,461 Sq Ft
0.436 Acres

3845 N Portersville Road Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Arlene Kluesner from F.C. TUCKER EMGE.

$259,700

3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
2,248 Sq Ft
0.264 Acres

4517 Obing Strasse Street Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Stacey Hurst from RE/MAX REVOLUTION.

$238,000

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
2,201 Sq Ft
0.357 Acres

2603 Brosmer Street Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Stacey Thieman-Wright from THIEMAN REALTY.

$235,000

4 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
2,549 Sq Ft
0.124 Acres

612 W 8th Street Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Dara O'Neil from F.C. TUCKER EMGE.

$219,000

2 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1,266 Sq Ft

901-2 Reyling Drive Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Kara Hinshaw from Key Associates Signature Realty.

$210,000

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1,688 Sq Ft
0.600 Acres

468 Schuetter Road Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Daniel Hoffman from HOFFMAN & MULLEN REALTY INC.

$208,000

2 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1,800 Sq Ft
0.208 Acres

891 Giesler Road Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Kevin Bayer from RE/MAX Local.

$198,500

3 Bedrooms
1 Bathrooms
1,086 Sq Ft
0.360 Acres

4862 N US 231 Highway Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Kevin Bayer from RE/MAX Local.

Basic Curb Appeal Tip #1: Invest in a New Mailbox and House Numbers

If your mailbox isn’t fairly new, consider replacing it. The same goes for your house numbers, which should match your home’s exterior style and be clearly visible from the road so buyers can find it easily. Just be sure to check with your homeowners association (if you have one) so you remain within its guidelines.

Basic Curb Appeal Tip #2: Dress Up Your Hardware

Give your front door a style boost by investing in a new door handle and deadbolt. Match it to your house numbers and the other hardware on your porch to create a streamlined look that buyers will love.

Basic Curb Appeal Tip #3: Create a Comfy Space on Your Porch

Your front porch can serve as an extension of the indoor living space, so show buyers that it’s a great place to spend time. You can do that by adding comfortable seating gathered around a small table. You don’t have to be traditional, either; you can install a porch swing or a pair of rocking chairs. The main point is to show buyers that they may enjoy spending time on the porch after they purchase your home.

Basic Curb Appeal Tip #4: Update Your Lighting

At the bare minimum, you should clean your porch’s light fixture thoroughly before you list your home for sale. If the fixture has seen better days, replace it. You should also pay attention to the other lighting in your landscaping; if you have lights illuminating your sidewalk, uplighting your trees, or anywhere else, make sure that all the bulbs are in good shape and that everything’s working properly.

Basic Curb Appeal Tip #5: Make an Instant Garden

Adding a container garden or beautiful potted plants can make a huge difference in the way buyers see your home. You can place them in strategic locations around your yard for maximum curb appeal.

Are You Thinking of Buying a Home in Dubois County?

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