First impressions of your home are often made based on its curb appeal. As odd as it may seem, you may seldom focus on the exterior appearance of your home. The problems that you fail to notice are often the features and issues that immediately catch the eye of potential buyers and visitors. Some of the things that can adversely affect the beauty of your home are subtle issues that can easily be resolved.

Landscaping Flaws

Overgrown shrubs are an immediate eyesore in any landscape design. This is especially true when the shrubs partially cover a window or obstruct a walkway. If you have hanging baskets or containers that have dead or dying plants in them, it’s best to either remove the baskets and containers or plant new flowers in them. Bare spots in the lawn also distract from your home’s curb appeal.

Unsightly Necessities

There are certain items that can distract from the beauty of your home, yet you must endure their presence. The placement of your heating and cooling unit may be in a location that is easily in view from various angles. Adding a custom AC cover to the unit can make it less of a distraction. Trash cans and recycling bins can also distract from your curb appeal. When it comes to hiding your trash cans, the options include ideas such as putting up a simple lattice panel, adding decorative fencing or constructing a sophisticated wooden trash bin or recycling area enclosure.

Clutter

Clutter is just as unattractive outside your home as it is inside your home. It may accumulate there without you even giving it much notice. However, other people will immediately focus on an excessive amount of toys in the yard, too much yard art, an over-abundance of outdoor furniture, or lawn and garden items that haven’t been put away. Clearing the clutter can make a dramatic impact on your home’s curb appeal.

Small Flaws

House numbers that are hanging crooked, faded or rusted can negatively affect the appearance of your home. The same is true for mailboxes that are attached to the house. If your mailbox is on a post at the edge of your lawn, the box and the post it is attached to should be in good condition. A faded front door and a welcome sign or a door knocker that isn’t in pristine condition may seem like a small detail to you, but others might consider it a sign of neglect or unconcern on your part.

Lighting

Lighting that is non-workable or fixtures that are outdated or covered with cobwebs and dirt will distract from the curb appeal. If you never turn on your front porch light or some of the other exterior lights, you may not realize how unsightly they have become. It’s a good idea to use the exterior lighting you have to showcase your home and specific landscape features in the evening.

Gutters

You may not think about the influence specific exterior features of your home have on its curb appeal. For example, gutters that are bent or over-flowing with debris can distract from the most impressive and meticulously maintained landscape design. There’s an extensive list of exterior issues that can wreck your home’s curb appeal available at Blog.credit.com. Addressing these issues can make a significant difference in your home’s curb appeal.

It’s often the small flaws that people notice first when looking at a home. Take a close, objective look at your home to discover subtle problems that need to be addressed. Repairing, replacing or making improvements to resolve these problems can enhance the curb appeal of your home.

Anica Oaks

Freelance writer and web enthusiast
Read some of my published work on my Google+ page.