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Showing posts with label homes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homes. Show all posts

Thursday, May 14, 2020

15 Simple Ways to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal


15 Simple Ways to Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal

St. Louis and St. Charles County homeowners are spending more time in and around the home than ever before due to the coronavirus. Not wanting to be stuck inside, many are taking advantage of their time at home by going outside to make improvements to the exterior of their home. These exterior improvements can really boost a home’s curb appeal. So if you are thinking of spending some time improving your home’s exterior and landscaping, here are some simple ways to do it.


Maintain Your Lawn for curb appeal

Maintain Your Lawn


You don’t have to spend a lot of money for a good looking lawn. Make sure it is kept trimmed, attend to any bald spots and keep it watered. For more advanced tips on lawn maintenance, click here


Trim Your Shrubs


It’s spring and plants are growing fast, so it is a great time to trim shrubs and pull any weeds around them.


Freshen Your Mulch


Mulch is a natural material that breaks down with time. Freshen it up by adding more mulch around the base of your landscaping to keep weeds at bay and give the landscaping a well-kept look.


Use colorful planters for curb appeal

Use Colorful Planters


Colorful planters can be found at local hardware stores on online. You could even paint some old planters to transform them and add color to the exterior of your home.


Add Pops of Color 


In additions to colorful planters, colorful accents can be implemented throughout the exterior areas of your home with flowers, a freshly painted front door, or pillows on benches.


Power Wash Your Home, Deck, Patio, and Concrete


It’s amazing the difference power washing can make to blast old dirt and debris from multiple areas of your home’s exterior. If you don’t own one, you can buy one, borrow one, or even hire a contractor to power wash for you.


Replace Old Porch and Coach Lights


Check your home’s exterior lighting. Does it need to be cleaned, fixed or replaced? There are great options for buying lighting at local hardware stores or online.


Add porch seating for curb appeal

Add Porch Seating if Possible


Wanting to spend more time outside your home creates the need for outdoor seating. There are many ways to get creative with outdoor seating. Choose something that compliments your home that will withstand the elements.


Make the Entry Welcoming


What is the vibe of the area in front of your front door? Is it welcoming? A thorough cleaning of the area and a few accents like a wreath or welcome sign can make a big difference.


Update Shutters


We rarely seem to think about shutters, but their appearance affects the overall look of your home. Check the condition of your shutters and make any repairs. If the paint is worn, give them a fresh coat. Or, you can even buy and install new shutters.


Freshly Paint or Replace the Front Door for curb appeal

Freshly Paint or Replace the Front Door


The front door is a focal point for your home. Check it for dents, scratches or anything that can be repaired. Give it a fresh coat of paint or consider replacing.


Freshen up the Mailbox 


The mailbox is often exposed to the elements and thus can age quickly. Check it for any needed maintenance, give it a fresh coat of paint or new numbers or consider a new mailbox.


Wash Your Windows


You’ll be surprised the difference that washing windows can make. Years of dirt and grime build up slowly that it is hardly noticeable. Washing your windows will make the house sparkle outside and a little brighter inside.


Add Style to You Address Numbers


Unique address numbers are a fun way to add style to your home’s exterior. You can find them at local hardware stores or shop for great options online.


Get a Great Doormat for curb appeal


Get a Great Doormat


The last step someone takes before they enter your home is on the doormat. Why not make it a good one? There are lots of fun options to be found at local stores and online. Pick one that is both good looking and functional.


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Improving your home’s curb appeal actually adds value to your home. If you are thinking of listing the home for sale in the near future, you are doing yourself a great service by upgrading it’s curb appeal. Or if your time in quarantine has shown you all the reasons you would like to be in a different home, contact The Boehmer Team to help you sell your current one and find a new one.

 

Monday, February 14, 2011

The House That Built Me

You may or may not be country music fans.  Maybe you are like us, and love several types of music from Hip-Hop to Country to Classic Rock to 80’s hits.  Our Prudential Select Properties office has a steady stream of a wide variety of music playing at all times.  It motivates us.  Even if you are not a country fan, you should take a minute to listen to the Grammy Award winning song “The House That Built Me” recorded by Miranda Lambert. 

We have heard it before, numerous times without really giving it much thought, but it wasn’t until we ran across an article in Realtor Magazine that drew our attention and we really listened. Until then, we didn’t pay much attention to what this song was about.


More so than music, we love houses and homes.  "The House That Built Me" is a beautifully sung country ballad. The song was written by Tom Douglas and Alllen Schamblin.   Allen Schamblin based the song of his experience of going back to the house in Huffman, TX that he grew up in at least once a year.  The singer describes returning, as an adult, to the house that she grew up in, and asking the person who now lives in the house if she can come inside and take a look around. She refers to it as "the house that built [her]," because of all the memories that she had of growing up within its walls.

In a day where we see the “deals” and “low offers” being the focus of today’s buyers and the source of more bragging rights than a great sports rivalry, it is very refreshing to reflect on the true value that lies within a “Home”.  “Deals” are great, “steals” are nice, but “memories” are invaluable.  This is the reason we see many sellers struggle with the mindset of today’s buyer.  In many cases, they are selling the house that their family and memories were built in.  It certainly does not add value to a buyer, but in many cases it’s parting with precious memories for the sellers that makes it so very difficult. 

Do yourself a favor, listen to the words closely.  It is sure to put a smile on your face. We hope you are fortunate enough to be one of the lucky ones that have beautiful memories of your own childhood home.

It is a pleasure and a thrill to be in a business so rewarding that the decisions we assist our clients in making can have such a profound impact on their lives.   As Real Estate agents with a combined 25 years experience, we anxiously await the return of the day when we see more buyers look at a home and buy the dream as they visualize their life in that home.  We have had the pleasure to sell in those times not so long ago and that my friends, is extremely rewarding!

Happy Valentines Day everyone!