5 Easy (and Cheap) Ways to Boost a Home’s Curb Appeal

5 Easy (and Cheap) Ways to Boost a Home's Curb AppealThe old adage rings true: You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

For homeowners, this comes into play because your home is visible from the street, no matter how private you keep the rest of it. Someone pulling their car into your driveway or along your curb will have an immediate first impression.

If you’re a home seller or potential home seller, this can be critical. Curb appeal, as it’s called, might not necessarily add a specific dollar value to your home, but it does provide the first impression a potential home buyer gets. If you don’t want to turn off potential buyers, that first impression is key.

It’s especially important if you live in a neighborhood of other well-kept homes. You don’t have to have the home that looks the nicest from the street, but you don’t want to have one that’s not up-to-par, either. If you’re selling your home, that’s especially true if there are other home sellers nearby – your neighbor sellers’ curb appeal is your competition.

The good news is that enhancing a home’s curb appeal doesn’t have to be difficult. And it doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are five easy, relatively inexpensive ways to boost your home’s curb appeal.

  1. Add a coat of paint to the front door and shutters – Over time, sunlight will fade a home’s entryway and trim. A gallon of paint, no more than $50 for the good stuff, can transform a faded front door or weathered shutters from eyesores to eye candy. Pro tip: If you have vinyl shutters that you’d really rather not paint, applying some Armor All or other similar product can remove the oxidation and rejuvenate them.
  2. Pressure wash – Over time, dust and dirt find their way onto a home’s siding, eaves, and trim. Especially if you have a light-colored home, you might be surprised at how a good pressure-washing can brighten things up. You can rent a pressure washer and do the job yourself (it might require a ladder), but if you’re unwilling to do the work yourself, it’s not very expensive to hire someone who will.
  3. Green it up – A well-maintained lawn is a component of curb appeal. It’s important to keep it neatly cut and edged, but making sure it’s a healthy-looking green can go a long way, too. The way to do this is with water and fertilizer, the latter of which might be a $20 to $50 investment. There are eco-friendly fertilizers out there, too, if you’re concerned about the environment, and just laying down some iron (available at most home improvement stores) can make your grass greener.
  4. Add some other colors – Once your lawn is green, it might be time to add some other color to brighten things up. Sure, a full-blown landscaping makeover, with new hedges and mature bushes is expensive, but you can add splashes of color with a few inexpensive, well-placed annuals.
  5. Trim it back – One of the top enemies of curb appeal is any landscaping that appears overgrown. If there are tree branches hanging over a driveway, or other flora encroaching into walkways, they should be trimmed. Even neat bushes and hedges can be too tall, obscuring a visitor’s view of the actual house. A tree service might be expensive, but most things near ground level cost only your time to cut and shape.

You won’t likely get more money on a home sale just because your dwelling looks great from the street. But if you’re selling your home,  you can help ensure that you don’t turn away potential home buyers from the very start by improving your home’s curb appeal.

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Nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac on Jasper’s desirable west side, this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 3-bath home offers comfort, convenience, and style—all in one perfect package. From the moment you arrive, the fresh landscaping and inviting curb appeal draw you in. Step onto the welcoming covered front porch, and enter into a spacious foyer that opens up to a bright 17' x 17' living room with cathedral ceilings, creating a warm and open feel.  The eat-in kitchen, updated in June 2022, features stunning Quartz countertops and backsplash, a new sink and disposal, and upgraded appliances installed in August 2023—perfect for any culinary enthusiast.  A split floor plan offers added privacy, with the spacious owner's suite boasting a large walk-in closet and a newly installed cultured marble walk-in shower with glass doors (June 2024). Two additional bedrooms and a full bath are located on the opposite side of the home. Head downstairs to a fully finished basement that’s an entertainer’s dream. Enjoy a custom bar, expansive rec room ideal for movie nights or ping pong, a full bath, a dedicated office area, a bonus room currently used as a fourth bedroom, and a generous storage room with built-in shelving. Outdoor living is just as impressive with a maintenance-free deck and screened porch, offering the perfect spot to relax and unwind. A 2-car attached garage and spacious driveway provide ample parking. Additional Features & Updates: Roof & tankless on-demand water heater – June 2020 Kitchen appliances & washer/dryer – August 2023 Furnace with Ecobee Premium SmartSensor thermostat – February 2024 New sump pump – April 2025 Jambini magnetic cabinet locks – June 2020 This move-in-ready home has it all—modern updates, versatile living spaces, and a peaceful yet convenient location. $329,700 Active

391 Gardenia Lane Jasper, Indiana

3 Beds 3 Baths 2,977 SqFt 0.25 Acres

Listing courtesy of Brenda Welsh from SELL4FREE-WELSH REALTY CORPORATION.

Situated on a .47 acre corner lot is this "move in ready" 1258 sq. ft. ranch style home featuring an attractive stone and vinyl exterior. Features include an open concept floor plan with a neutral decor throughout including laminate and ceramic tile floors and carpeting in all bedrooms. This home offers 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms with wider doorways. The extra large 25X27 attached garage is heated and cooled and includes a work bench area and cabinets. There is a rear covered porch and an additional patio with a pergola, and a 10X12 storage building. The driveway offers a back-out space for extra parking and ease of exiting the driveway as well as a new RV parking pad. Also included is an underground invisible pet fence.  Additional updates include all LED lighting and new carpeting in all 3 bedrooms as well as a new range in the kitchen. All kithcen appliances as well as the washer and dryer are included along with custom window shades. $262,900 Active

4020 N Portersville Road Jasper, Indiana

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,258 SqFt 0.47 Acres

Listing courtesy of Gary Schnell from SELL4FREE-WELSH REALTY CORPORATION.

Situated on a .20 acre lot is this 1323 sq. ft. new construction Craftsman style home. The pretty stone and siding exterior adds loads of curb appeal to this attractive home. The open floor plan and neutral interior are the perfect choice for your family. You will love the well eqipped kitchen with stainless steel appliances including a gas range, granite counter tops, a tiled back splash and an eat-at bar. The raised deck just off of the main living area adds an extra entertaining or relaxing space for your family. The owners suite includes a private bath with a twin sink raised vanity, a large shower and walk-in closet. There are 2 additional bedrooms, a full bathroom, a separate laundry room and an attached 2 car garage. Enjoy RevWood Select Granbury Oak Flooring in the main areas and ceramic tile in the wet areas. Jagoe TechSmart components are included in this EnergySmart home. $285,800 Active

1396 N Hunters Crossing Circle Huntingburg, Indiana

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,323 SqFt 0.2 Acres

Listing courtesy of Gary Schnell from SELL4FREE-WELSH REALTY CORPORATION.