Home Sweet Home

Spaces

If it’s true what they say “home is where you hang your hat”, and “there’s no place like home”, then we need to take a hard look at what we are calling home. During these busy days of summer it’s all too easy to stop paying attention to the honey do list. It only takes a blink of the eye for your home to fall into disrepair, and trust me when I say the Shabby Chic look is so over!! I am not talking about keeping up with the Jones’ but it’s important to be considerate of your neighbors. Having a clean and well-maintained property will not only improve your property values, but as an added bonus will likely improve your good neighbor relations as well. Whether you’re trying to appeal to a new homebuyer, or just want to improve your home-owning experience, improving the curb appeal of your home can be very rewarding.

A front entry sets the tone for the expectations of the rest of the house. Have you ever driven by a house, and because of its unique curb appeal you wished you could get a glimpse inside? I can’t emphasize enough the importance this element carries. The door needs to look sharp and clean with a fresh finish, or a new coat of paint. All hardware should be polished, lighting in good repair, and please make sure the doorbell is in working order. If your entry does not have a cover, this one element could make a great impact on the overall appearance of your home. Make sure your house numbers are visible, and hanging straight and you might give a fresh coat of paint to the mailbox. To liven things up and add a welcoming touch, add a fresh entry mat, and potted plants with some beautiful seasonal flowers.

A yard needs a little tender loving care, and a little water goes along way; make sure your lawn is in the best shape possible. Take the extra time to ensure the sprinklers are working sufficiently so that the yard stays green and fresh. Perennials added to the yard are a great way to add color, and will re-bloom the following year. Whether you’ll be around to enjoy them or not they are a great investment to your yard for years to come.

Exterior surfaces exposed to the elements can become soiled over time therefore, look into professional power washing, a technique in which walls, decks, and even roofs are cleaned with a stream of pressurized water. Washing windows on the outside with products like Windex Outdoor cleaner is made easy by hooking right onto a garden hose to spiff up surfaces without having to dry them or climb a single ladder.

Painting the outside of your home is one of the quickest makeovers imaginable and the most dramatic. Create some excitement right from the start by painting your front door a bold shade that contrasts with the rest of the house and make sure the finish is a high gloss. If you’re using multiple colors, stick to a formula of 60% for the base color of the house, 30% for trim color, and an accent color of 10%.

Whether you’re trying to catch a buyer’s eye, or just wanting to fall in love with your home again, I hope you find a way to enjoy your Home Sweet Home! v

Spaces is happy to answer your questions. If you have a problem space and a question please forward to my e-mail address at:cachristman@spaces-cci.com