Updated October 2026. For sellers getting the outside of a home ready for listing photos and showings, on a weekend budget.
To create great curb appeal, clean and repaint the front, mow and edge the yard, wash the windows, update the door, lights and house numbers, pressure-wash hard surfaces and shoot photos on a bright day. It pays to start at the door: in NAR’s 2025 Remodeling Impact Report, a new steel front door had a 100% estimated cost recovery.
Jump to: 🏠 Why it matters · 🪜 Eight steps · 💲 What pays back · 📸 Photos · ❓ FAQ
Key takeaways
- 92% of REALTORS® have suggested sellers improve curb appeal before listing, per NAR’s Outdoor Features report.
- 98% of REALTORS® in that survey said curb appeal is important to a potential buyer.
- A new steel front door (100%) and a new fiberglass front door (80%) were among the top projects for estimated cost recovery in NAR’s 2025 report.
- Your front photo is the first thing online shoppers see, so the curb is also your listing’s cover.
What is curb appeal, and why does it matter?
Curb appeal is the first impression your home gives from the street, before anyone steps onto the property. It’s what a buyer feels pulling up for a showing, and what an online shopper sees in the first photo.
Agents take it seriously. In NAR’s Remodeling Impact Report on outdoor features, 97% of REALTORS® said curb appeal matters in attracting a buyer, and 75% called it very important. A home with tired curb appeal gets skipped in favor of listings that look cared for, even when the inside is great.
Some of the tips below come from Property Solvers, a homebuying firm from across the pond Property Solvers that buys homes in the UK. The basics travel well: clean, tidy and bright wins on both sides of the Atlantic.
How do you create great curb appeal in eight steps?
1. Freshen up the facade
Think of the front wall as the home’s face. Remove unused alarm boxes, old satellite dishes and extra security lights. Clean off dirt, moss and cobwebs. Make visible pipes and fixtures look neat. Paint the front door and window trim if they’ve faded. For bigger ideas, see Six modern house facade ideas to elevate your home.
2. Prune and mow
Pull weeds from paths and the driveway. Mow and edge the lawn. Trim shrubs below the windowsills so they don’t hide the house. Freshen flower beds with new mulch and a few plants in bloom. A tidy yard tells buyers the home was looked after.
3. Spruce up the windows
Clean the glass inside and out; a pro window wash is cheap for the difference it makes. Look at the windows from the street. Are the blinds even? Are the curtains clean? A couple of plants on the sills show that someone cares for the place.
4. Upgrade hardware and lights
New house numbers, a mailbox, door handles and outdoor lights are small jobs that make the front look current. A video doorbell can make buyers feel the home is secure. Make sure every outdoor bulb works for evening showings.
5. Pressure-wash hard surfaces
Driveways, walkways, patios and steps collect grime and moss. Hire someone or rent a pressure washer for a day. If the paving is cracked or stained beyond cleaning, patch the worst spots or reseal it. A clean path to the door changes the whole approach.
6. Add a little outdoor decor
Planters by the door, a new doormat and solar path lights add character. Go easy, though. Too many ornaments look busy and can put buyers off. Two matching planters usually beat a crowd of statues. Our guide to outdoor improvements that help homes sell has more ideas.
7. Don’t forget the other angles
Serious buyers walk around the house. Clear side paths of junk and weeds. Clean leaves and moss from the gutters and roof edges. Store bins out of sight. Neaten every side someone can see.
8. Take excellent pictures
Your home needs to look great in person and even better online. More on that below.
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Buy a home →Which curb appeal projects pay back the most?
Small, visible projects usually beat big ones. NAR and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry rank projects by estimated cost recovery, meaning how much of the cost you might get back in the sale price.
| Project | What NAR found (2025) | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| New steel front door | 100% estimated cost recovery | A day for a pro |
| New fiberglass front door | 80% estimated cost recovery | A day for a pro |
| Paint the whole home | Recommended to sellers by 50% of REALTORS® | A few days to a week |
| New roofing | Recommended by 37% of REALTORS® | A major project |
Cost recovery figures are national estimates. Your results depend on your market, your home and the quality of the work. Painting is covered in depth in our guide to painting your property to increase value. If the sale isn’t moving, read Is Curb Appeal Affecting Your Sale? Here’s How to Fix It, and for more quick wins see How To Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal and How To Make A House More Attractive To Potential Buyers.
What can you do in one weekend?
If you list next week, skip the big projects and do the quick wins in order. Here’s a two-day plan most owners can handle with a rented pressure washer and a trip to the hardware store.
- Saturday morning: clear junk, bins and toys from the front and sides.
- Saturday midday: pressure-wash the driveway, path and steps.
- Saturday afternoon: mow, edge, weed and trim shrubs.
- Sunday morning: wash the front windows and wipe down the door and trim.
- Sunday midday: paint the front door, or just touch up chips.
- Sunday afternoon: new doormat, two planters, house numbers and working bulbs.
Then walk across the street and look back at the house. Fix whatever you notice first; buyers will notice it too. Take a phone photo from the curb and compare it with your neighbors’ homes. Appraisers do something similar; here’s how the exterior shows up in a home valuation. If yours looks like the one you’d want to visit, you’re ready for the photographer.
How do you photograph curb appeal?
Use a pro if your budget allows. Book a bright day, ideally with the sun lighting the front of the house. Shoot from across the street at a slight angle, with the camera at about chest height.
- Make the front of the house the first photo in the listing.
- Move cars, bins and hoses out of the frame.
- Turn on the porch lights for a warm look.
- Add a shot of the view from the front door if it’s a good one.
- Take a twilight photo if the outdoor lighting is strong.
Our Real Estate Photo Tips: Take The Best Pictures covers settings and angles, and the guide to home photos that upgrade your listing shows what to shoot inside.
Once the photos are ready, a Beycome flat fee MLS listing puts them in front of buyers and agents. Basic is $99 with $0 due to Beycome at closing, and you get the maximum photos the MLS allows. Want help with the whole sale? Concierge is $1,399, with an expert supporting you all the way while you keep every decision. Beycome lists in 17 states and DC and has helped 22,000+ homeowners save over $225 million.
Frequently asked questions about curb appeal
What does curb appeal mean?
It’s how attractive your home looks from the street: the facade, yard, front door, lights and paths that buyers see first.
What is the cheapest way to improve curb appeal?
Clean everything, mow and edge, pull weeds, wash the windows and paint the front door. Most of it costs a weekend and a few supplies.
Does a new front door add value?
It’s one of the best bets. NAR’s 2025 report estimated 100% cost recovery for a new steel front door and 80% for fiberglass.
How important is curb appeal to buyers?
Very. In NAR’s survey, 98% of REALTORS® said curb appeal is important to a potential buyer, and 63% said very important.
Should I pressure-wash my driveway before selling?
Yes, if it’s dirty or mossy. It’s quick, cheap to rent the machine, and it makes the approach to the home look cared for.
When is the best time to photograph the front of a house?
On a bright day when the sun lights the front, or at twilight with the outdoor lights on.
Prices as of October 2026. Concierge is $1,399; Basic is $129 in California and Illinois ($99 elsewhere). “$0 at closing” means no Beycome fee at closing; other closing costs and taxes still apply. No refund once listed. Cost recovery figures are national estimates from NAR and NARI, not a promise of value.
Sources
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