Curb appeal can shape buyer interest before a showing
New research found that 77% of buyers consider curb appeal at least moderately important, giving real estate professionals another way to evaluate new-home communities, prepare listings and better understand what draws buyers through the door.
Buyers begin forming an opinion about a home well before they step inside, making landscaping, exterior design and the overall appearance of a neighborhood important parts of the purchase decision.
A June survey of more than 1,200 households by the New Home Trends Institute found that 77% considered curb appeal at least a moderate factor when choosing a home. Fourteen percent said poor curb appeal could be a dealbreaker.
The findings offer useful insight for agents working with buyers, sellers and builders, particularly as homes take longer to sell and customers become more selective.
When touring new-home communities, agents can look beyond floor plans, finishes and incentives to assess whether the streetscape, landscaping and exterior design create a strong first impression. Communities with more distinctive and welcoming exteriors may attract buyers who otherwise might never stop to tour a model home.
Agents can also ask buyers about their exterior priorities. Some customers may care deeply about mature landscaping, architectural variety or a polished front yard but may not mention those preferences until they see what they dislike. Identifying those priorities early can help narrow the search and explain why two otherwise similar homes produce very different reactions.
The research also found that front-yard landscaping ranked among the most popular free upgrades buyers would choose from a builder. That suggests buyers view landscaping as more than a basic expectation and may assign real value to a finished outdoor appearance.
The findings reinforce the importance of reviewing the entire arrival experience, including the lawn, plantings, walkway, front door and exterior maintenance. Relatively modest improvements may help a property earn a showing, create stronger listing photos and compete more effectively without requiring an expensive interior renovation.
Price reductions and incentives can encourage a buyer to complete a purchase, but they may have little effect if the property or community fails to capture attention initially. A stronger first impression can help bring more qualified buyers through the door before financial incentives are needed to close the deal.
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