How to Maintain Your Winter Curb Appeal

Yes—even here in the South—with autumn comes a beautiful burst of fall colors; however, as we find ourselves spending the equinox consumed with thoughts of Friday night football games and pumpkin spice lattes, many of us fail to notice the creeping descent into winter.

For most of us, it’s okay to wake up one morning and suddenly realize that our trees are bare and our grass is brown, but if you’re a homeowner who is attempting to market your house, you don’t want to realize that your curb appeal has blown away with the warm weather.

Therefore, when it comes to improving your home’s winter curb appeal, it’s important to consider your options.

1.) LAWN – Due to the hot temperatures that afflict Georgia in the summer, most lawns are laid with Bermuda grass, which stays green in 90+ degree temperatures, but it doesn’t exactly make for a beautiful yard when it turns brown during the winter. Still, while this change is inevitable, it’s important to remember to clean the leaves from your lawn since piles of damp leaves may smother and kill your grass.

With this in mind, to prep your front yard for the cooler months, make a point to not only clear the leaves from your yard, but to aerate your lawn if necessary and to sprinkle it with a potassium-rich fertilizer that will save it from a barren winter.

2.) OPT FOR WINTER BLOOMERS – While most of us don’t equate winter with blooms, there are plenty of hardy plants which flower during the cooler months. Instead of planting your gardens with vegetation that only comes to life during the spring and summer, try changing up your flower beds by growing shrubs which thrive during the winter.

Blue holly is a fantastic choice that produces beautiful red berries and is well suited for the hot summers, as well as honeywort, which is a Mediterranean plant that blooms in silvery blue droplets.

3.) EVERGREENS – As the name suggests, evergreens stay…well, green. As a long-standing staple of homes looking to preserve their curb appeal year-round, these rich shrubs thrive in all climates and are able to withstand both high and low temperatures.

4.) SPRUCE UP YOUR FRONT DOOR – When most of us think of curb appeal, the front door isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind; however, once autumn fades, so do the colorful hues. To remedy this, painting your front door with a fresh coat of vibrant paint can go a long way towards giving your entire property a bit of allure.

5.) PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR EXTERIOR – When the trees are in full bloom, a lot of your home’s shortcomings are masked by leaves, but as they go leafless, exterior areas you’ve neglected may be on full display.

To make sure the extra exposure doesn’t hurt your chances of selling, make a point to power wash the outside of your home and touch up any areas which are laden with summer grime.

6.) ADD SOME LIGHT – With daylight savings comes shorter days and darkened streets, which means your chances of creating a welcoming exterior shrink. Therefore, add a bit of warmth by showcasing your home with interesting light fixtures that are simple and classic.

7.) EASY WITH THE HOLIDAY DÉCOR – When it comes to selling your home around the holidays, festive decorations certainly have their place, but it’s important to exercise a bit of self-restraint when you’re tempted to rival the decorating prowess of Clark Griswold.

Maximizing curb appeal is all about universal appeal and showcasing your home. If your holiday displays are too overwhelming, it may turn off potential buyers who fail to fix their interest on the home itself.

CONCLUSION

Yes, maintaining your curb appeal is somewhat easier in the spring and summer, but that doesn’t mean it has to go by the wayside when the temperatures drop. Make a point to see what options work for your property and feel free to discuss the possibilities with an experienced Realtor who can help you make the best selections for your area.

Pam Evans | Hello Pam Evans Real Estate | www.HelloPamEvans.com | 678-778-6551