Compass Greater NY, LLC
Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES, Compass Greater NY, LLCPhone: (917) 623-0624
Email: [email protected]

5 Tips for Improving Curb Appeal

by Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES 03/07/2021

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

You’re getting ready to put your house on the market and scurrying to make everything look perfect for potential buyers. While it’s important to focus on readying your home’s interior for viewing, remember not to neglect your exterior. According to some estimates, 81% of real estate agents believe curb appeal is one of the primary ways to attract a buyer.

Keeping the lawn tidy, manicuring bushes, removing yard clutter, and ensuring exterior paint sparkles are things you'll want to do. Here are five additional ways to make your home’s exterior pop.

Install Gutter Covers

Gutter covers serve a practical purpose by ensuring gutters are clear of debris to prevent breakage or destruction caused by backed up water, but they can also provide an attractive exterior accent. Modern covers come in different designs and colors to add an attractive feature to your home. (Bonus: Many buyers might find the idea of low-maintenance gutters appealing!)

Seal the Driveway

Maintaining a driveway is one of those items many people forget to tick off on their to-do list. A dirty or cracked driveway might immediately bias a potential buyer, but a newly sealed and crisp-looking driveway can go a long way towards grabbing their attention.

Add ‘Green’ Highlights

Today’s consumers actively seek to go green. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 68% of buyers seek environmentally-friendly homes (even if they don’t want to pay extra for them). Adding exterior improvements to your home can give it a “green” feel.

  • Install solar lighting: These aren’t as elusive as they once were, you can buy solar lighting at your local big box store or warehouse to use along patio borders or integrated into your landscape.
  • Add a sustainable garden: Gardens are always a nice touch and low-maintenance sustainable gardens are a plus. (Consider installing a barrel to collect rainwater to water your garden to further increase your home’s “green” appeal).
  • Replace windows and doors: Adding attractive Energy Star certified windows and doors are appealing perks and, while costly, bring a strong ROI in resale.
  • Giving your home environmentally-conscious features and "feel" adds curb appeal and, depending on the improvements made, also enhances its value.

    Add New Door Hardware

    Buyers greeted at the door with a dingy outdated doorknob will have a different reaction than if met with a brand-new shiny one. Adding new front door hardware is a great way to bring a more inviting feel to your home as buyers arrive. Best of all, replacing it is an inexpensive and easy DIY fix.

    Ditch Concrete Walkways

    Traditional concrete walkways are considered retro. If yours are looking outdated, you can make appealing improvements by investing in stamped concrete, stone or reclaimed brick walkways to replace older ones.

    According to Remodeling Magazine, nine of the top 10 home improvements to increase a home’s value are exterior upgrades. First impressions matter. If you can “wow” a buyer before they even step in the door, you’ve got a far better chance of receiving your asking price.

    About the Author
    Author

    Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES

    Ann Marie Damashek has always been a natural at helping people prepare their homes for sale. She started out with a successful business selling goods for people on eBay. "Nine times out of ten they were hiring me because they were down-sizing,” Ann Marie says. "So I decided to get my license. I said, ‘Might as well sell their house too.’” The transition was a smooth one and for nine years she’s had a thriving full-time real estate business that allows her to marry her entrepreneurial spirit with her passion for helping others. With an office in Larchmont, New York, she serves all of Lower Westchester County, with her primary market in the Sound Shore region. The majority of her business is "sphere of influence” with former clients referring her to friends and family. A gifted communicator, Ann Marie quickly builds trust and rapport with her clients by being both thoughtful and responsive; she understands that during the purchase or sale of a home, a quick response time is crucial. "I am very accessible,” Ann Marie says. "I always make time for my clients. They can call me, text me, email me up until 10 o’clock at night and I will respond. I’m available on weekends. I get back to people very promptly. I’m very customer service-oriented.” Her clients appreciate her professionalism, passion and enthusiasm and as a result her repeat and referral rate continues to grow each year. While selling real estate is serious business, Ann Marie knows that at times humor and a moment of levity can be a relief to clients. While she has a laidback and easygoing personality, she can be assertive when needed on her clients’ behalf. She loves being of service to them, and the continually changing nature of the work keeps her engaged and fulfilled. "It’s never boring,” Ann Marie enthuses. "Every day is different. That’s probably what I like most about it. But I also enjoy helping people sell or buy and educating them about the process. I love helping them achieve their goals.” This ethic of service has resulted in well-deserved recognition. Ann Marie has received the Westchester Magazine Five Star Real Estate Agent Rating four years running, in 2015 and 2016 she was the #1 agent in her office, and she’s a Zillow 5-Star Premier Agent. To keep in touch with former clients, Ann Marie sends cards to mark special occasions or reaches out via email. To market her listings, Ann Marie uses Multiple Listing Services (MLS), as well as Listingbook.com, a service that allows both agents and their clients access to MLS data. She also uses a Facebook business page and ads to boost new listings or promote upcoming open houses. "That drives a tremendous amount of traffic,” Ann Marie says. She also uses the most popular real estate websites such as Zillow and Trulia. A strong believer in giving back, Ann Marie sits on the Board of Trustees of her church and is involved in a variety of social justice projects. She’s affiliated with Furniture Sharehouse, a furniture bank for Westchester County, which collects and distributes gently used furniture free of charge to those in need. "I love it on so many levels because as a realtor, it’s helps my sellers downsize through charitable donations. I like the environmental aspect of it as well. And it helps people who truly need things.” She’s also involved in Impact 100, a women’s philanthropic giving organization. In her free time, Ann Marie enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. For the future, Ann Marie wants to continue expanding her business and developing her brand, and she someday hopes to grow a strong team. But her main goal is to stay in the real estate business, helping her clients to achieve their dreams.