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.

$775,000

5 Bedrooms
5 Bathrooms
5,596 Sq Ft
0.890 Acres

3265 Foxridge Drive Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Brenda Krempp from RE/MAX Local.

$724,600

3 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
4,319 Sq Ft
1.600 Acres

1015 W 15th Street Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Caroline Gobert from ERA FIRST ADVANTAGE REALTY, INC.

$624,900

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
2,940 Sq Ft
14.820 Acres

1089 N 400W Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Zach Holt from Whitetail Properties Real Estate.

$624,000

4 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
3,906 Sq Ft
0.595 Acres

3289 St Charles Street Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Annette Wigand from ERA FIRST ADVANTAGE REALTY, INC.

$399,000

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
3,076 Sq Ft
1 Acres

3515 Villa Drive Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Leanna Graves from RE/MAX REVOLUTION.

$399,000

3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
2,650 Sq Ft
0.780 Acres

3264 Lakeside Dr. Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Larry Carpenter III from Carpenter Realty LLC.

$360,000

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.

$340,000

4 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
2,961 Sq Ft
0.294 Acres

333 Daisy Lane Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Linda Schroering from CENTURY 21 SCHROERING REALTY.

$325,000

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1,650 Sq Ft
0 Acres

614 W 34th Street Jasper, Indiana

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

$319,900

5 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
2,377 Sq Ft
0.346 Acres

1780 Sweet Gum Drive Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Amanda Childers from Hawkins & Root Real Estate.

$315,000

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
3,232 Sq Ft
0.520 Acres

3508 N 600 W Road Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Caroline Gobert from ERA FIRST ADVANTAGE REALTY, INC.

$309,000

5 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
2,730 Sq Ft
0.680 Acres

580 Riverside Drive Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Jud Collett from Key Associates Signature Realty.

$289,000

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1,648 Sq Ft
0.340 Acres

4130 N Portersville Road Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Gina Mehringer from F.C. TUCKER EMGE.

$274,900

3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
2,172 Sq Ft
0.460 Acres

1244 W 14th Street Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Steve Lukemeyer from F.C. TUCKER EMGE.

$269,900

4 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
2,168 Sq Ft
0.200 Acres

319 E 5th Street Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Seth Yates from Key Associates Signature Realty.

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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