Before you put a For Sale sign in your front yard, take a step across the street and look back at your home through a buyer’s eyes.

Does it look clean, cared for, and inviting?

Curb appeal can have a significant impact on a buyer’s first impression, and that impression begins long before they walk through the front door. In fact, National Association of REALTORS® research found that 97% of REALTORS® believe curb appeal is important in attracting buyers.

The good news is that improving curb appeal doesn’t necessarily require a major renovation. A handful of strategic exterior improvements can make your home look more appealing online, create a stronger first impression in person, and potentially increase its perceived value.

Here are six projects I recommend homeowners consider before putting their home on the market.

1. Freshen Up the Exterior Paint

A fresh coat of exterior paint can completely change the way buyers perceive a home. Faded, peeling, or dated paint may signal deferred maintenance, while a clean exterior can make a property feel well cared for and move-in ready.

Neutral and timeless colors generally have broad appeal. You don’t necessarily need to repaint the entire house, either. Freshening the trim, garage door, shutters, or other visible areas can make a noticeable difference.

Estimated cost: Costs vary considerably based on the size of the home, condition of the exterior, materials, labor, and location. If a full repaint isn’t in the budget, consider focusing on the most visible areas first.

2. Give the Front Door a Fresh Look

Your front door is one of the first things buyers notice when approaching your home and one of the last things they see when leaving.

A fresh coat of paint can give an entryway an instant lift. Classic colors such as black, navy, deep green, or even a tasteful red can create contrast and personality without overwhelming the exterior.

This can also be one of the most affordable curb appeal projects. NAR recently highlighted repainting the front door as an exterior update that can make a noticeable difference without requiring a major investment.

3. Refresh the Landscaping

A healthy lawn and well-maintained landscaping send an important message: this home has been cared for.

You don't necessarily need an expensive landscape redesign. Start with the basics: mow and edge the lawn, trim shrubs and trees, remove weeds, refresh mulch, and add a few colorful plants or attractive planters near the entrance.

These details are especially important when selling because buyers often see your home online before seeing it in person. Your landscaping becomes part of that critical first photograph.

NAR recommends simple improvements such as mowing, edging, trimming vegetation, adding flowers, and making sure landscaping doesn't hide the home's architectural features.

4. Power Wash the Driveway and Walkways

Sometimes one of the best improvements isn't adding something new. It's simply making what you already have look better.

Power washing can remove years of dirt and buildup from driveways, walkways, patios, and other hardscape surfaces. Pay particular attention to the driveway and walkway leading to the front door because buyers see these areas immediately.

While you're at it, address obvious eyesores such as oil stains, cracks, cobwebs, or debris.

It's a relatively simple project, but the result can make the entire exterior appear cleaner and better maintained.

5. Take Care of the Roof and Gutters

Buyers aren't only looking at how attractive a home is. They're also looking for signs of how well it has been maintained.

Overflowing or sagging gutters, missing roof tiles or shingles, visible debris, and obvious roof deterioration can raise questions before buyers even enter the home.

Clean the gutters, remove visible debris, and have damaged areas evaluated or repaired when appropriate. If you're unsure about the condition of your roof, having a qualified professional inspect it before listing may help you understand what you're dealing with.

Roofing is also among the projects REALTORS® commonly recommend homeowners address before selling, according to NAR's 2025 Remodeling Impact Report.

6. Add the Finishing Touches

This is where relatively small improvements can pull everything together.

Consider updating dated exterior light fixtures, replacing worn house numbers, refreshing the mailbox, adding an attractive doormat, or placing simple planters near the front entrance.

Exterior lighting is particularly effective because it can improve appearance, ambiance, and safety. NAR has also highlighted outdoor lighting as an increasingly important curb appeal feature.

The goal isn't to make the home look overly decorated. You want it to feel clean, welcoming, polished, and cared for.

What Curb Appeal Improvements Should You Make Before Selling?

Not every home needs every improvement on this list.

Before spending thousands of dollars preparing a property for sale, I recommend looking at the home from a buyer's perspective and determining which improvements are most likely to make a difference in your particular neighborhood and price range.

After years of working with buyers and sellers in Huntington Beach and throughout Orange County, I've learned that sometimes the smallest changes can dramatically improve the way a home presents itself.

Thinking about selling your Huntington Beach or Orange County home? Before you start spending money on improvements, I'd be happy to walk through your property with you and help identify which projects may be worth considering—and which ones you may be able to skip.

Bonnie Ahrens
Seven Gables Real Estate
DRE #00923377