I take frequent walks and the houses I pass always grab my attention. As part of my Tranquiliving business, I give staging consultations to folks selling their homes. I’m hyper-vigilant about every single exterior detail of a house—the curb appeal. After all, the exterior is the introduction to the entire home. Many a buyer will turn away before getting near the entry if they’re unhappy with what they see!
First prize for the Most Unwelcoming House (my conscience prevents me from calling it a home!) goes to one I saw last week. Of modest size, and plopped down in a pleasant little community, this place had no less than four large NO TRESPASSING signs. One of the signs was posted on the front door! Right where some people might hang a wreath or place a brass door knocker. I gulped when I walked past. I had to turn and walk by a second time just to let it sink in. I couldn’t help but imagine the story that had transpired beyond the front door. Had they incurred a devastating tragedy? Or was there one too many a proselytizer or Girl Scout? As a resident in that house, I wonder what kind of mood you’d fall into as you returned to your own home?
That house took the cake as my parents would have said. Next in line after the no trespassing house would be the house that is completely hidden behind shrubs and trees. You’re not sure there’s a house there, so obviously you don’t feel welcome.
Plenty of other dwellings I’ve seen could qualify for second or third place.
Twenty-one items that might make a home feel unwelcoming:
- trash littering the yard or bulging garbage bags
- broken down bicycles or cars
- excessive toys covering the porch or yard
- an ambiguous entrance—not knowing which door to use
- a walkway that’s difficult to maneuver because of overgrowth or clutter
- dead plants, grass or shrubs, especially near the entrance
- dirty front door or peeling paint on door or trim
- decorative metal that is discolored or damaged (I’ve used metallic spray paint rather than replacing certain items.)
- cobwebs or hornets’ nests overhead in porch or entry area
- burned out bulbs at night
- dirty or broken light fixture
- ragged door mat
- inordinate number of yard ornaments
- scattered tools or plumbing and construction materials
- excessive and mismatched yard or porch furniture
- broken or dated flower pots or too many pots
- plastic flowers (sigh)
- missing shutters or ones in need of paint
- peeling house paint
- Christmas decorations displayed when it’s not Christmas
- a mailbox that’s seen better days
If you want to be welcoming to friends and neighbors you don’t need perfection. Pretend to be a guest and imagine what another person might feel when they walk up to your door. Clean it up, declutter and bring cheer to yourself and others by having one or a few healthy plants near the entry. But not twenty.
If you’re putting your house on the market, you still don’t have to achieve perfection but you should come a little closer to it! Be intentional to create curb appeal that is new, fresh, clean and green. You don’t want to run anyone off!
Now please excuse me; there are a few things I need to tend to outside:).
I speak often these days to baby boomer clients about all their stuff, and what in the world to do with it? We were endowed with rare treasures from our parents and grandparents. Chosen to be caretakers of priceless antiques. “Keep these pieces in our family,” they said. I’m constantly saying to my clients and to myself, “Stuff is only (monetarily) worth what someone is willing to pay for it.”
One of the most gratifying things I’ve done in the last thirteen years is to stage homes for the real estate market. A staged home has been proven to sell faster and at a higher price than one not staged.