Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa August 2013 | Page 32

IMPROVING

BY ANGELIQUE REDMOND

Get Curb Appeal
And your house will shine

D

oes your home have a positive, striking
character, with charm that adds
value to your neighbourhood, or it
the neighbourhood eyesore? Your home is a
reflection of you and one of the most important
aspects of your home is the outside appearance,
effectively what people see when they walk past
or first arrive at your house.
When it comes to curb appeal, keep it simple.
It might sound like something small and quite
basic but this one rule will prevent your home
from being the neighbourhood eyesore. When
you start off think of classic but simple ways to
ensure your home looks elegant and attractive.
Your garden is key to this, grass should be kept
neat and tidy, and trees should be trimmed and
if you are going to have flowerbeds, they must
be kept neat and tidy. Hedges can be a great
addition to any walls or fences you have but if
they are not kept trimmed and tidy, your house
has lost its first battle. Another thing which can
add appeal to your garden is by adding artwork,
things like bird feeders, bird baths or fountains,
small ponds and stone pathways, can make an
average garden look extraordinary.
Once you have your garden looking smart its
time to think about the outside of your home.
What’s the first thing you notice about a house,
the front door? The front door says a lot about
you, it is the focal point of your home. Make
a statement by giving your front door a blast

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August 2013 SA Real Estate Investor

of colour, with paint or by installing a custom
wooden door. Clean off any dirty spots around
the door handle or knob and use metal polish on
the door fixtures. Your entry should also reflect
the home’s interior, so choose a doormat that
reflects your personal style.

QUICK TIPS

House numbers, the entry door lockset, a
wall-mounted mailbox, and an overhead light
fixture are all elements that can add style and
interest to your home’s exterior. These elements
should work in harmony; so if they are broken
or dirty and outdated, think of following
the same style or theme for these elements,
depending of course on the architectural style
of your home. Is your house a traditional or
modern house? The worst thing you can do
a traditional house is to try and incorporate
contemporary elements, which clash with the
aesthetical style of your home. Another thing
you can do to the front door or any windows in
the front of the house is add mouldings to it,
white mouldings on red brick really make the
front door and windows pop.
If your home has an older gutter system, odds
are it’s also suffering from peeling paint, rust
spots, or other problems that can convey a sense
of neglect. Replace old systems with newer,
snap-fit vinyl gutter systems that go together
with few tools and require no painting. Copper
systems, while pricier, convey an unmistakable
look of quality.

1

Kill mold and mildew on the house,
sidewalks, roof, or driveway.

2

Stow away unnecessary garden
implements and tools.

3
4

Clean windows and gutters.

5

Edge sidewalks and remove
vegetation growing between
concrete or bricks.

6
7
8

Mow the lawn. Get rid of weeds.

Pressure wash dirty siding and
dingy decks.

Rake and dispose of leaves.
Trim tree limbs that are near or
touching the home’s roof.

Complement the architecture

An appropriate paint colour palette will
complement the architecture of your house.
There is nothing worse than a house painted
in garish colours, which stands out but for all
the wrong reasons. Two or three paint palettes
in appropriate colours will provide variety and
enhance the curb appeal of your home. Colour
can be a means of creating an interesting façade,
just make sure you use good quality paint, as
paint which chips off or fades will detract from
the appearance of your home.
www.reimag.co.za