First impressions count, and the exterior is the first thing to be seen when walking onto a property. By making simple upgrades to the outside, you can make your house more appealing to its future owner or occupants and create a more attractive property.

Here are a few of our favourite improvements that can make a big difference to the outside of your property.

Fresh Look

A fresh coat of exterior paint can transform the look of a house, making it look clean and cared for. Opting for neutral and trending colours is the safer choice here and helps appeal to a wider audience.

Keep in mind an exterior repaint can be costly, which for a weatherboard house is about every seven to 10 years, but this may not provide the return on investment if the current paint is in good condition.

Fencing

Fencing on the street front and boundary of your property will create a sheltered or enclosed space which creates privacy from the street and neighbours.

Most urban properties have some form of fencing, so repairs and a repaint to a tired fence may provide that instant kerb appeal. An enclosed yard with a gate is an additional step to allow people to keep cars safer off the street and keep pets secure.

Be considerate with the type of house and street you live in as a solid front fence is not always the best decision. For example, a picket fence may be much more suitable for a character home. Established hedging can also provide screening and privacy in a softer way.

Landscaping

Considered practical landscaping not only creates an attractive green appeal to your property, but done right it can create a low maintenance exterior. If there are existing established features, work with these where possible, otherwise look to create a simple plan.

Introduce practical hardscaping elements to define areas and create interest, whether it be a pathway, borders or retaining to make spaces usable. Then add in planting to soften areas, add layers and create screening, or use as a feature. A low-maintenance approach is preferred for investment properties, so keep this front of mind to make sure the property can stay looking sharp without requiring too much attention.

Entry Makeover

We love an entry makeover as it’s a relatively simple project but one that can give a big impression. Create a welcoming entry by upgrading the front door with a fresh coat of paint. Or, if you want to make a statement or have some fun, this is a great place to add colour to make a big impact on a small surface.

Replace and upgrade hardware and add lights or plants around the entrance to help create a great first impression.

Keep in mind a secure front door with good locks not only looks good but also gives tenants peace of mind. There is a wide range of digital locks available that provide security and access options.

Drives, Parking

A clean and well-kept driveway or parking space can be a big selling point. Tenants will appreciate the convenience, and this is a drawcard that adds value to occupants, particularly in urban areas where parking is limited. There may be options to create an additional car park on your property by extending off your current drive or making areas multi-purpose with permeable paving.

Outdoors

An outdoor living space placed in the right location and with a good base could become a highly used and valuable addition. These areas effectively add extra living space and allow the tenants to be outdoors in a planned space.

Start by picking a good spot, ideally connected to an internal space and in a sheltered place that gets light. Then build suitable flooring (deck, pavers, etc). Extra elements and features can always be added, such as screening, planting, or a roof.

Improving kerb appeal can come in a range of levels of scope and cost, based on your property and the work you want to undertake, but it can pay off when it comes to attracting tenants or finding a buyer.

It might be as simple as the repaint of a fence and planting, or it could be as extensive as all the items outlined above. There’s no doubt, a maintained and well-presented exterior will boost the attractiveness of your property.