Buying a home

Creating curb appeal. Making a good first impression counts!


The countdown to summer is on! Looking to spruce up the front entrance to your home? Spring is the perfect time to give your home a good once-over after those harsh winter months. We are sharing some tips from Canadian Living to help with that curb appeal this spring.

Banish the dirt and grime left behind from winter by thoroughly cleaning surfaces outside the home, from stone walls to the sidewalk. Use a power washer to spray the driveway, porch, front walkway, front steps, vinyl siding and bricks. Don’t forget about your windows. Give them a good clean inside and out, it can make a huge difference. Your front door makes a huge impact to the overall look of your home.

Maybe it is time for an upgrade? Update yours with a fresh coat of bold paint, very budget friendly! Or if you’re starting to see signs of damage, it might be time to replace the door to save on energy costs. One of the fastest ways to improve your curb appeal is to replace worn or outdated fixtures such as lights, house numbers, mailboxes and door hardware. Before you start shopping, consider the style of your home and match the appropriate accessories to ensure a consistent finish. A more cost-effective DIY option would be to spray paint your hardware a new colour. At the very least, give existing fixtures a very good cleaning and polishing using a microfibre cloth and an old toothbrush (hot, soapy water is safe on most metals, but double check a small area if you’re not sure). Installing new light fixtures around the front door and the garage (or even updating to brighter bulbs) will make a massive difference. If you want to illuminate a walkway or highlight your home’s architectural details, consider using solar lights, because you can place them just about anywhere. Even better, there is no need to call an electrician! Simple DIY! Make sure to clean your gutters, because if clogged it can lead to water damage including ceiling leaks! Lastly, DON’T FORGET to check the walkway for cracks and weeds (to avoid trips and falls) and check your roof for missing or damaged shingles. Call a professional for repairs if needed.