Bonnie Ahrens

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

The Huntington Beach real estate market remains strong, with home values continuing to hold steady. However, today’s buyers have more homes to choose from and are taking additional time to carefully compare properties before making a decision. They are paying close attention to location, condition, upgrades, monthly expenses, and overall value. Homes that feel overpriced or need considerable work may be overlooked, while properties that are well prepared and priced appropriately are still attracting serious buyers.

For sellers, this is not a market to simply place a home on the MLS and wait for an offer. Thoughtful preparation, professional presentation, strategic pricing, and strong marketing can make a meaningful difference in both the selling time and final price. The first few weeks on the market are especially important, because that is when a home generally receives the most attention. Starting with the right strategy helps create interest, build momentum, and place the seller in the strongest possible negotiating position.

For buyers, having more choices may provide a little extra room to negotiate, particularly when a property has been on the market longer or needs updating. Still, desirable Huntington Beach homes in excellent condition can sell quickly. Buyers should be financially prepared and ready to act when the right opportunity appears.

I’m incredibly honored to be recognized in the Seven Gables Real Estate Chairman’s Circle for 2025.

This achievement would not be possible without the trust and support of my wonderful clients, friends, and referrals. Helping people buy and sell homes in the community I love is truly a privilege.

There’s always a lot of noise around real estate, and I know most people just want a clear picture of what’s actually happening without the sales talk.

Right now in Huntington Beach, the median home price is sitting around $1.3 million. That’s slightly lower than last year, but homes are still moving at a steady pace, averaging about 46 days on the market. Across Orange County as a whole, the median price is closer to $1.2 million, with homes taking around 55 days to sell.

What’s interesting is the balance starting to show up. Inventory is still limited, but mortgage rates have dipped closer to the low six percent range, which has brought more buyers back into the conversation. It’s still competitive, but not quite as frantic as it has been in the past.

I keep a close eye on the local market so people don’t have to rely on headlines or guesswork. Whether you’re just staying informed or quietly thinking about your next move, having real context makes all the difference.

For over 11 years, I helped manage a rental property in the Gumtree neighborhood for my client Sam. When the time felt right, Sam reached out with a goal:
“I think I’m ready to sell, Bonnie. But I want to do it right—and find something even better with a 1031 Exchange.”

From day one, we worked as a team—collaborating on pricing, preparing the home, and crafting a strategic marketing plan that would generate strong interest and the right kind of buyer.

We poured our energy into that plan, and it paid off.
Together, we hosted a strategically marketed open house that brought in over 50 buyers—a full, buzzing weekend of serious traffic. The result?
Multiple offers, and a sale $75,000 over asking—all in less than 30 days.

But Sam’s journey didn’t stop there.

Next, I helped him locate the perfect replacement property to complete his 1031 Exchange, protecting him from unnecessary capital gains taxes. We negotiated that new home $48,000 under the list price, giving Sam an incredible jump into his next investment—without skipping a beat.

Today, Sam’s not only upgraded his portfolio—he’s done it on his terms, with clarity, confidence, and a true sense of forward momentum.

This is the kind of work I love: partnering with clients, building a smart plan, and helping them move forward successfully.

If you’re considering selling—or wondering if it’s time to reposition your investment—I’d be happy to help you explore your options.

📞 Let’s talk when the time feels right.

If you’re a homeowner — or thinking about becoming one — there’s some exciting news out of Washington that could directly impact your bottom line.

The federal cap on the SALT (State and Local Tax) deduction has officially increased from $10,000 to $40,000 for married couples filing jointly, and $20,000 for single filers. This is a significant change, especially for those of us living in high-tax states like California, where property taxes and state income taxes are a major consideration in overall affordability.

What Is the SALT Deduction?

The SALT deduction allows taxpayers to deduct certain state and local taxes — including property taxes and either income or sales taxes — from their federal taxable income.

Until now, this deduction was capped at $10,000, a limit that many argued disproportionately impacted residents in higher-cost areas with larger tax burdens. The new cap is a meaningful shift, offering more room to deduct and potentially lowering your federal tax bill by thousands of dollars.

Why This Matters for Homeowners and Buyers

This update could have a ripple effect throughout the real estate market. Here's how:

• More Tax Savings: Homeowners with higher property taxes or income taxes will now be able to deduct significantly more, lowering their overall tax liability.

• Improved Affordability: For buyers, this could make owning a home more financially appealing, especially in desirable but high-tax communities.

• Increased Confidence: Sellers may benefit from a broader buyer pool, while buyers may feel more empowered knowing the tax benefits of homeownership have increased.

• Market Movement: This policy shift could lead to greater activity in mid-to-high priced markets, especially where the previous cap had discouraged potential buyers.

What You Should Do Next

If you’ve been on the fence about making a move, this is a great time to reevaluate. Whether you're thinking of buying your first home, upgrading, or selling and cashing in on your equity, the expanded SALT deduction could make a meaningful difference in your strategy.

Want to know how this change could impact your personal tax situation or your next real estate decision? I’m here to help. Let’s connect and talk through the numbers — no pressure, just straight answers.

📞 Call, text, or message me anytime!

I’m so proud to announce that I’ve been honored with the Chairman’s Circle Award at Seven Gables Real Estate’s 2024 Recognition Awards!

This award represents an incredible milestone and is given in recognition of outstanding achievement—something I don’t take lightly. It’s a testament to the hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment I bring to my clients and my profession every single day.

I’m beyond grateful to be part of a brokerage that continues to set the bar in excellence, support, and professionalism. And I’m even more grateful for the trust my clients place in me—it’s because of you that achievements like this are possible.

Thank you for allowing me to do what I love most: help people navigate the journey of buying and selling homes with care, confidence, and results. Here’s to continuing to face challenges head-on and reaching new heights together!