Kerb Appeal: Why the Front of Your Home Matters

Before a buyer sees your kitchen, bathroom or beautiful south-facing garden, they see the front of your house.

And that first impression starts before they've even opened the front door.

That's why kerb appeal matters.

Look at your house like a buyer

Here's a simple exercise.

Walk away from your property, turn around and look at it as though you've never seen it before.

What do you notice?

Is the garden tidy?

Does the front door look cared for?

Are the windows clean?

Are bins, toys or shoes taking over the entrance?

You might spot things you've stopped noticing.

The front door is important

It's usually the focal point of the property.

Give it a clean and, if necessary, consider whether it needs painting.

Check the door furniture, letterbox and house number too.

You don't need to spend hundreds of pounds. You just want everything to look well maintained.

Tidy the garden

This doesn't mean landscaping it.

Cut the grass, trim the hedges, pull out weeds and sweep the path.

If you have pots or plants, make sure they're looking healthy.

Simple is fine.

Don't ignore the windows

Dirty windows can make an otherwise well-presented property look tired.

Clean glass and frames can instantly brighten the exterior.

What about parking?

If you have a driveway, make sure buyers can actually see it.

Don't use it as permanent storage for bins, bikes, broken furniture and the family car.

If parking is a key selling point, make it obvious.

Evening viewings

External lighting can make a difference, particularly during the darker months.

A well-lit entrance feels welcoming and allows buyers to see the property properly when arriving after work.

Your Rightmove photo matters too

Here's something sellers sometimes forget:

Your buyer may see your house online before they ever see it in person.

The exterior is likely to feature prominently in your property photography.

That means kerb appeal can influence whether someone even books a viewing.

Don't overdo it

You don't need expensive landscaping, designer planters or a £5,000 front door.

The best kerb appeal is usually simple.

Clean.

Tidy.

Well maintained.

Welcoming.

The five-minute test

Before your property goes on the market, stand outside and ask yourself:

"If I saw this on Rightmove, would I want to see what's inside?"

If the answer is yes, you're off to a good start.