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Aditya Kasturi | Realogics Sotheby's International Realty

Curb-Appeal Checklist

Buyers decide in the driveway. Make the outside earn the showing - starting with the moss.

Refined waterfront exterior used for seller planning articles.

Selling and Home Prep

What this article helps you decide

> The first photo and first ten seconds set the buyer's expectation. on the Eastside, where mossy, damp exteriors are common, a clean sharp exterior signals a well-kept home.

Work through the decision in order

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Curb-Appeal Checklist

Use the worksheet without a form. Keep your notes in this browser, then bring the live facts into a Real Estate Review if the decision still matters.

Curb-Appeal Checklist decisions

Questions about Curb-Appeal Checklist

Clear answers first. If one question changes the deal, bring it into the review before you move money.

Q1How much does curb appeal really matter?+

A lot — buyers decide in the driveway and in the first listing photo. A clean, sharp exterior earns the showing; a mossy, cluttered one loses it before anyone steps inside.

Q2What's the first thing to handle on an exterior here?+

Moss. Damp, mossy siding, roofs, and hardscape are common and read as neglect. Power-washing and removing moss from roof edges and walkways is the highest-signal cheap fix.

Q3Which entry updates give the biggest lift?+

Fresh door paint, new hardware and house numbers, a clean mat and planter, and working exterior lighting. The entry is the handshake — a sharp one reframes the whole showing.

Q4What landscaping moves matter for a sale?+

Mow, edge, and trim, add fresh mulch, remove dead plants, and clear and frame the walkway. Tidy, defined landscaping signals a maintained home without a big spend.

Q5Do these show up in the photos or just in person?+

Both, and the photos come first. Most buyers judge the home online before visiting, so the exterior has to photograph clean — moss removal and a fresh door read clearly on camera.

Q6How do I sequence this before photo day?+

Clean and de-moss first, then sharpen the entry and landscaping, then shoot. Setting the exterior punch-list and photo plan is part of a listing Real Estate Review.

Apply the article to the live decision.

Let's set the exterior punch-list and photo plan so the listing opens strong - book a Real Estate Review.

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Last updated: August 2, 2026

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