Does repainting the exterior and updating landscaping help a home sell faster?

Fresh exterior paint and basic yard cleanup are two of the highest‑ROI, fastest‑impact improvements you can make before selling. Buyers rarely “look past” exterior neglect, and the data shows that curb appeal directly affects both the number of showings and the final sale price. Why exterior condition matters more than most sellers expect 1. Buyers form their opinion before they ever walk inside Curb appeal sets expectations about how well the home has been maintained. When the exterior shows peeling paint or overgrown landscaping, buyers often assume there may be deferred maintenance elsewhere. This can reduce showing traffic and weaken offers. 2. Even online, exterior appearance drives clicks and showings Listings with clean, attractive exteriors get more views and more in‑person showings. A neglected exterior can cause buyers to skip the listing entirely, even if the interior is beautiful. 3. Exterior improvements deliver some of the highest returns Industry data shows that curb‑appeal projects often produce a strong return on investment: - Landscaping and basic yard care can add around $4,500 in value. - Fresh exterior paint can increase resale value by over $7,500 on average. - Sellers often see close to 100% ROI on landscape and hardscape updates. - Homes with improved curb appeal can see around a 7% increase in value. These are relatively small investments compared to kitchen or bath remodels, yet they influence buyer perception just as strongly. What’s actually necessary vs. optional Necessary (high‑impact, low‑effort) - Scraping and repainting peeling areas - Trimming overgrown shrubs - Fresh mulch - Cleaning walkways and windows - Basic lawn cleanup These are the items that directly affect first impressions and buyer confidence. Optional (nice to have, not required) - Full landscaping redesign - New hardscaping - Decorative exterior staging These can help, but they’re not essential to get top dollar. Bottom line If your goal is to maximize your sale price and attract strong offers quickly, fresh exterior paint and basic yard cleanup are worth doing. They are among the most cost‑effective improvements you can make, and buyers rarely overlook exterior neglect even when the interior is in excellent shape

Hi Anita While a fresh exterior may not get you top dollar, the first few minutes are the best few minutes to impress a Buyer about the condition of your home. Consider reaching out to a top real estate professional in your local market that may have contractors that can help take care of the work right away for you.

I think you can do a lot with curb appeal and it goes a long way. It doesn't take much to get a fresh coat of paint and landscaping. I wouldn't leave money on the table. If you think it's going to be inconvenient or difficult to do, a buyer may think the same thing.

Look, Anita, I totally get it—the last thing you want is a parade of contractors trampling through your yard for three weeks! Since your interior is already in such great shape, how about a 'low-stress' strategy to handle that curb appeal: **The 'Choose Your Own Color' Credit:** Instead of you painting, we'll get a few quotes and tell buyers, *'Hey, we know it needs paint, so we’re giving you a $5,000 credit at closing to pick your own colors!'* It turns a flaw into a fun customization perk. **Leading with the 'Wow' Factor:** We aren't going to make the outside the first thing they see online. We’ll lead the listing with a gorgeous shot of your kitchen or living room to get them hooked on the inside first. **The 4-Hour Facelift:** Don't worry about new shrubs. We’ll just do a quick 'edge and mulch.' Sharp lines on the lawn and fresh dark mulch make everything look intentionally 'wild and lush' rather than 'messy.' * **The 'Pop' Priority:** If you're up for one tiny project, let's just paint the front door. It’s the one thing they touch and look at while I’m fumbling with the lockbox! **A Good Deep Clean:** A professional power wash can work absolute wonders. It might not fix the peeling, but it’ll make the whole house look bright and cared for. This way, you save your sanity and still get those top-dollar offers. What do you think?" ~Becki Cronin | FC Tucker | 317.622.8339

Anita - the exterior of the house gives you the opportunity to put your best foot forward. It is the first thing buyers will see. So, yes, it makes sense to remove peeling paint. A reliable painter can tell you if a whole house paint is needed or if touch ups can work. For the landscaping - trim the shrubs where possible, mow the law and put out some pots of current flowers for your area. In the Andover, North Andover and Boxford, MA areas, we are planting pansies! I hope this helps.

Curb appeal can account for 7% of a homes sales value- on a $600,000 home that's $42,000! I've written an eBook addressing that and other design appeal issues "Architectural Soul & Curb Appeal Blueprint". Feel free to contact me for a free copy. Pete Bauch, Realtor 770.617.7720

Indeed! Any improvements that make the house better overall tends to result in the home selling faster. In your case, the enhancements you stated are highly suggested as it will prevent the home from looking like an eyesore. Remember, you want the buyers to stop in their tracks when they pull up or drive by because they want to live there, not because they are turned off. That positive shock value will result in a higher net number overall. Best of luck with the sale! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Yes, this is one of the few upgrades that actually moves the needle. Buyers decide how they feel about your home before they walk in. Peeling paint and overgrown landscaping signal “work needed,” and that lowers offers or keeps people from showing up at all. You don’t have to go all out, but you should fix anything that looks neglected. Fresh paint where it’s peeling and cleaned-up landscaping go a long way. Think of it like this. If the outside feels taken care of, buyers assume the inside is too. If it doesn’t, they start looking for problems. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about first impression. And that’s where you either gain or lose momentum.

First impressions are everything in real estate and they have a direct impact on what buyers are willing to pay. Even if the inside of your home is in great shape, buyers form an opinion within seconds of pulling up. When they see peeling paint or an overgrown yard, it can create doubt about how well the home has been maintained overall. That perception, whether accurate or not—often leads to lower offers or stronger negotiations. It also affects your online presence. The exterior photo is usually the first image buyers see, and if it doesn’t look inviting, fewer people will click, schedule showings, or feel excited about the property. That said, you don’t necessarily need to spend weeks on major projects. Simple improvements like cleaning up the yard, trimming landscaping, adding fresh mulch, and doing some touch-up painting can go a long way. These smaller updates can dramatically improve curb appeal without a huge time or cost investment. If the paint is heavily peeling or the home looks noticeably worn from the street, then a full exterior paint job can be worth considering, as it typically delivers a strong return. Ultimately, the goal is to create a positive emotional response the moment a buyer arrives. When buyers feel confident and excited from the start, they’re much more likely to pay top dollar.

In today’s market, the homes that are selling are the ones priced competitively and presented in the best condition. With so many homes available, we want your property to stand out from the competition. To help achieve that, it is important to address any peeling paint and make sure the yard feels clean, inviting, and well maintained.

In my opinion, curb appeal absolutely plays a role in getting top dollar, but you don’t need to overdo it or take on a huge project to make an impact. Buyers form their first impression within seconds of pulling up, and that impression can affect how they feel about the entire home, even if the inside is beautiful. That said, it’s not about perfection, it’s about presentation. If the paint is noticeably peeling, I would address it, but that doesn’t always mean repainting the entire house. Sometimes touch ups in key areas can make a big difference. The overgrown yard is definitely something I would clean up. Simple things like trimming, fresh mulch, and basic landscaping can completely change how the home shows without a big investment. You don’t need weeks of contractors or a major overhaul. The goal is to make the home feel well maintained and inviting from the outside so buyers walk in already feeling good about it.

Yes, anything you do can do to enhance your property and give it a sharp clean appeal can help with the sale

Peeling pai is an issue for many types of loans so that could rule out some buyers. Curb appeal is huge when it comes to selling a home. Don't skimp on that. I work with many contractors who could assist you get it done quickly if you needed the referral. Let me know!

I’ve seen this play out a lot: buyers will overlook minor wear inside a home if it’s clean and well-maintained, but they’re much less forgiving of visible neglect from the street. The outside sets the expectation before they ever step through the door. An overgrown yard doesn’t usually require new shrubs or a redesign. What I’ve consistently seen work best is: clean trimming and shaping fresh mulch to define beds removal of weeds and dead growth a simple, intentional look that shows the home is maintained That combination does more for buyer confidence than a full landscaping project in most cases.

Hi Anita, that’s a great question. In my experience, taking care of those details is a great way to help your home stand out. Not only does it boost curb appeal, but it can also prevent issues during the appraisal like chipped paint being flagged, which could delay the sale until it’s addressed. I usually recommend scraping and repainting any areas with peeling paint. The same goes for landscaping, trimming back any overgrowth and keeping things tidy goes a long way. A clean, well-maintained exterior always feels more inviting to buyers.

Absolutely. Also your front do is very important. Make it look free , new, and inviting.

Absolutely! First impressions matter more than most sellers realize. Buyers often decide how they feel about a home within the first few seconds of pulling up, before they ever step inside. If the exterior paint is peeling and the landscaping looks overgrown, buyers may start wondering what other maintenance has been delayed, even if the inside is beautifully updated. Fresh exterior paint, trimmed landscaping, fresh mulch, and a clean, welcoming front entrance can make a huge difference in both buyer interest and perceived value. That doesn’t always mean you need a full exterior overhaul. Sometimes strategic improvements, like power washing, touch-up paint, pruning shrubs, fresh flowers, and cleaning up the yard, can create a strong impact without a major investment. In many cases, improving curb appeal helps homes sell faster and can even lead to stronger offers because buyers feel more confident from the start. The goal is to make buyers excited before they even walk through the front door. I always tell sellers to focus on the updates that bring the best return, not just spend for the sake of spending. Sometimes, a few thousand dollars outside can protect tens of thousands in negotiation later. Happy pruning! Michele Cohan Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices | Fox & Roach | Marlton, NJ