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.

$949,000

3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
3,878 Sq Ft
4.060 Acres

401 E 36th Street Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Ryan Craig from RE/MAX Local.

$724,900

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.

$575,000

3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
1,776 Sq Ft
6.260 Acres

1928 South A Street Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Arlet Jackle from RE/MAX Local.

$389,900

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1,793 Sq Ft
0.414 Acres

4617 W Cypress Drive Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Marissa Goodness from Carpenter Realty LLC.

$369,500

5 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
4,014 Sq Ft
1.300 Acres

1091 W 36th Street Jasper, Indiana

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

$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.

$319,900

3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
2,734 Sq Ft
0.580 Acres

980 S Crestwood Dr. Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Larry Carpenter III from Carpenter Realty LLC.

$309,900

3 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
1,568 Sq Ft
1.100 Acres

4667 W Ireland Church Avenue Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Marissa Goodness from Carpenter Realty LLC.

$299,900

3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
1,832 Sq Ft
6 Acres

912 E 420 N Highway Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Jennifer Stallings from KELLER WILLIAMS CAPITAL REALTY.

$275,000

3 Bedrooms
1 Bathrooms
1,377 Sq Ft
0.720 Acres

3584 Bittersweet Dr. Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Larry Carpenter III from Carpenter Realty LLC.

$275,000

4 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
1,972 Sq Ft
0.590 Acres

1477 Worrell Drive Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Constance Nord from RE/MAX REVOLUTION.

$250,000

4 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
2,103 Sq Ft
1.081 Acres

589 N Truman Road Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Cheryl Arnold from CENTURY 21 ARNOLD & ASSOCIATES.

$219,000

4 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1,250 Sq Ft
1.900 Acres

1281 E 2nd Avenue Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Keasha Fromme from Carpenter Realty LLC.

$211,500

3 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.

$169,750

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1,560 Sq Ft
1 Acres

5362 W Division Rd. Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Larry Carpenter III from Carpenter Realty LLC.

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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