Homeowners

10 Cheap Ways Home Sellers Can Boost Their Curb Appeal

While square footage, location, and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms can really seal the deal with homebuyers, your home’s curb appeal—or lack thereof—also has a powerful impact on would-be buyers.

It’s the first thing buyers see when they pull up in front of a home for a showing.

“I always liken curb appeal to a first date,” said real estate agent Jeremy Applebaum of AppleBaum KC Homes in Overland Park, Kan. “First impressions mean everything.”

Thankfully, you don’t need a massive overhaul or a big budget to make your home’s exterior shine from all the way down the street.

These 10 cheap ways to boost curb appeal can help you to have your home looking its best for less than the cost of a dinner out.

1. A fresh coat of paint

Walk around your exterior and touch up any chipped or peeled paint on your siding, railings, shutters, or trim.

If you’re feeling bold, consider repainting your front door a cheerful hue, such as bright yellow or robin’s egg blue. Or cozy up to warm Mocha Mousse, the 2025 Pantone Color of the Year.

2. A new layer of mulch

A fresh top layer of mulch can breathe new life into tired landscaping beds, whether you opt for wood, straw, rubber, or stone. Use an online mulch calculator to determine how much you need.

Depending on the amount, you can purchase mulch by the bag from a garden center or in bulk from a local landscaping company.

3. Pressure washing

There are few things quite as transformational (or, if you ask us, quite as satisfying) as a good pressure wash. Chances are, your siding, cement, and other surfaces have slowly built up grime without you noticing.

Take them back to looking nearly brand-new with a few swipes of a pressure washer. If you don’t own one, you can borrow one from a friend or neighbor or rent one from a nearby hardware store.

Be sure to research your home’s surfaces and the appropriate amount of pressure to apply to each.

4. Colorful annuals

Fresh, blooming flowers—either planted in the ground or in containers on the porch—add an instant pop of color to a yard. Look for flowers that are in season and will grow well in the sunlight your yard receives.

For example, plant pansies and violas in the spring, opt for lantanas and petunias in the summer, and pick mums and flowering kale in the fall.

 5. Pretty porch décor

Whether it’s as simple as a new rug or as extensive as a row of Adirondack chairs, make your front porch as inviting as possible. Think: A new welcome mat, potted plants, vases, lanterns, and pillows (bonus points if they match your newly painted front door).

Don’t be afraid to search your storage area or garage for any hidden gems or scout inexpensive options at big-box home decor stores.

6. A new mailbox

You probably don’t think much about your mailbox outside of your daily visits. But if it’s become an eyesore, a simple swap could be an inexpensive curb-appeal boost.

If it’s still structurally sound, consider a fresh coat of paint and some new numbers.

7. Basic lawn care

A little love can go a long way when it comes to the health of your lawn. Take time to pull large weeds, rake leaves and dead grass, mow, and apply fertilizer if you’re feeling ambitious. 

8. Stylish address numbers

Switch outdated address numbers for modern versions, cleaning well behind the old set so no marks are left behind. Whatever color and size you choose, make sure they’re easy to read from the street.

9. New or updated lighting

Showcase all your hard work with inexpensive solar-powered landscape lighting, available online and at garden centers. These can be used to line walkways or attached to the home. If you’re handy or willing to hire an electrician, you can swap out hardwired fixtures for even more impact.

10. Clean windows

Whether you hire someone or do it yourself, boost your curb appeal with freshly washed exterior windows.

“They just make the home sparkle,” said Applebaum. “Buyers are immediately impressed when they step out of the car.”

When it comes to creating the best curb appeal on the block, remember it doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.

“Fresh mulch, flower pots, and a cheerful welcome mat do so much,” said Applebaum. “They just give the feeling that the home has been cared for and well maintained.”