Curb appeal is all about how your house looks from the street. A well-manicured lawn, colorful flower beds, and shiny, brass house numbers all contribute to that appeal. There is one aspect of curb appeal, however, that no one talks about. It's your garage door.
If you think about it, your garage door takes about valuable, visual square footage when a potential buyer views your house from the street. In some cases, depending on how many parking spaces your garage has and which direction the doors face, it can be the only part of your house that buyers see. It needs to look fabulous.
Dents
No one is perfect. Garage doors and the trim siding around the opening can get dinged up after years of use. A misguided lawnmower or a distracted driver can leave their mark in mere seconds. The problem is that the next buyer of your home may be bothered by it. Repair any dents or dings in your door and trim before listing your home for sale.
If the damage is too extensive or a repair isn't possible, have a new garage door installed. Choose a classic door that complements the exterior of your home. Garage doors with small windows in the upper panel are very popular with new home buyers. Be sure to keep those windows clean while your home is on the market, however.
Squeaky
A squeaky garage door may not seem like a big deal, but it is another one of those little details that make potential buyers wonder why you did not stay on top of the upkeep of your home. Grab a bottle of WD-40 and lubricate the track to silence that squeaky garage door. Find the owner's manual for further information on how to prevent squeaks.
Also, while you are looking for that manual, make sure you know where both garage door openers are. You are expected to turn over two at the closing. If you are missing one, deal with replacing it now, or list it as missing on your real estate disclosure forms.
Color
If your garage door is an unusual color or the paint is desperately peeling, give it a fresh coat of paint. Sure, if you do it yourself, it will take up a whole Saturday, but it will be worth it due to the positive bump in your home's curb appeal.
Your garage door has a huge influence on potential buyers. If it looks faded and neglected, they will naturally assume that the inside of your house is the same. Taking care of your garage door can help lure them inside for a closer look. To learn more about garage door services, contact a garage door contractor in your area.
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