Of course, youve already considered location, so the first step you need to contemplate in purchasing a house for flipping is curb appeal. What does it look like from the street? If people arent anxious to buy after driving buy, what chance do you have of making a sale? Curb appeal is everything. Actually, its curb appeal times two. You need to consider what it looks like to you for buying and you need to envision what its going to look like to a prospective home-buyer when you sell. If the outside of the home doesnt captivate you, then no matter what you do to the inside, you face an uphill battle. Ive had great houses with great prices . . . and potential buyers barely slowed down as they drove by. You need to believe that with a little work and a little money, you can transform a home from a liability to alluring. Curb appeal consideration for you: Roof lines even? You dont want to see a sagging roof, even if its structurally sound. That look could cost you thousands in resale value.Additions un-cobbled? Many times people add on dormers or little additions. If there are additions: do they fit the basic look of the house? Does the roofing material match? You dont want to be changing those. You want the home to look picture perfect.Garage converted to a family room or bedroom? Many times ramblers have original built-in garages converted to extra bedrooms and/or family rooms. The driveway comes up to the house and you can easily see where new siding was added to hide the conversion. This rarely works. The best Ive seen used French Doors into a family or garden room.House settling? If you can see from the street that the house has settled, there is little you can do outside of major foundation work.Concrete work settled? Cracked? Front steps off kilter? Actually, you can build new steps around them. Often you construct a small deck that both hides the old concrete and enhances the new look. This hides unsightly cracks as well (make sure they are repaired first, however (dont just cover them up).Crappy neighbors with crappy homes, crappy landscape and crappy attitudes? If you can buy their homes for a good price, consider it. If not, pass it by otherwise youll be trying to show your home while the police stop by next door for an on-location shooting of Cops.If you purchase the house, you will start working on the curb appeal as well as general remodeling. You need to capture the hearts of your potential buyers. Curb appeal for your new buyers: Put up large street address numbers so people can easily locate your home for sale.Nicely painted Fresh paint adds value and says the home is well-cared for.Landscaping Big bushes and trees add instant value. Tie the landscaping together with edging and you have a complete look. If you dont know what time of year you will be selling, choose mostly evergreens and then add flowering plants just before you put up your sign.Charming - Nothing sells like charm. Dont settle for bland. Add color that highlights the home. Got room for an arbor? Is there a small private area that can still be seen from the street? Room for a bench? Does the house have shutters. They dont even have to work. They can even have to work. Shutters or faux shutters can be used to accent the windows and make them appear larger.Dramatic lighting Make sure your address is well lighted. Use dramatic spot lights to show off the landscaping and the private areas. If your house is vacant, choose a nice table by a beautiful window to add an attractive lamp. You want a shade that sends light up and down. Youre want people to have the feeling that theyve come home after being away, and someone left the light on for them.People view houses when it is convenient to them, this often means after work, at night. Be sure to check out your curb appeal for different times of day and night. Imagine the house youre selling as the perfect home. How would it look, if it were painted as a romantic scene by Thomas Kincade? You would see drama. You would see color. The lighting would pull you into the painting. Create that picture for your curb appeal. What you want is an image that stays in the mind of potential buyers. They drive by. They call. They look it over. They make their offer. They cant wait to move in. They pursue financing. You get your asking price . . . or better. Their dream never waivers. This is their home. All of this is done with curb appeal. |
