By Yuna Miller

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Your home’s exterior wears a lot of hats. Its main function, of course, is to keep the elements out. It’s also responsible for every visitor’s first impression. And while we like to think that it’s what’s on the inside that counts, when it comes to your house, appearance is everything. Whether you’re hosting a party, looking to sell, or you just want to impress passersby, here are some affordable ways to boost your home’s curb appeal.

Fresh Eyes

Here’s a tip that won’t cost you a dime: have a friend take a look at your home’s exterior and tell you what they think sticks out. We see our homes every day. In some ways, this makes us blind to its faults. Your friends’ eyes are simply better at spotting problem areas. Of course, the less familiar your friend is with your home, the better. Friends who come over all the time may have any of the same blind spots you do!

Soap and Water

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Outdoor kitchens and gorgeous brickwork are great upgrades to save your pennies for. But if you want more curb appeal and you want it right now, it’s cheaper and faster to break out the soap and bucket. Even the best landscape designs in Charlotte will lose their appeal if they’re not sparkling. Some areas of your property will look incredible after they’re cleaned. Porches, patios, decks, and driveways will all look better after a power washing. Wash Siding, fencing, shutters, and windows. Have a barbecue grill? Scrub it until it shines.

Flower Power

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All properties look better with the right accents. One of the most affordable accents available is also one of the most effective. People have been beautifying their homes and landscapes with flowers for thousands of years, and they never seem to go out of style. If you want to include new or more flowers on your property, you’ve got a few options:

• Flower beds dug directly into the ground are inexpensive and offer the chance to plant flowers that will bloom every year
• Raised flower beds are a little more expensive, but require less labor and are more effective in areas with difficult soil
• Potted plants and window boxes allow you to change your mind about flower placement and can go indoors during inclement weather

Paint Accents and Trim

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A fresh coat of paint is an excellent way to boost curb appeal. Can’t afford to repaint the entire house? Just buy a little bit and do the edges! Painting the shutters, doors, and trim gives your home’s exterior a brand new look for a fraction of the cost of a new paint job. You can also do it in a fraction of the time with a fraction of the effort. Depending on your particular property, the job might even be small enough that hiring a professional fits in your budget!

Don’t Rest on Your Laurels

Many of us view our home’s exterior through rose-colored glasses. We have an idea of what our house looks like that doesn’t quite match up with reality. Even if the outside of your home was perfect when you bought it, after a few years, there are likely a few areas that could use attention. Step out of the past and take a good look at what you’re currently working with. Once you do that, you’ll have a better idea of where any problem areas are, and a better grasp on where to start making changes.

Yuna Miller is a freelance writer who has lived in eight cities in 16 years. She finds a community that interests her, finds an old house, fixes it, flips it and gets out her map again.

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