5 Ways to Add Condo Curb Appeal

How can you make that condo stand out from others on the block?

Sales of condominiums and co-ops accounted for nearly 13 percent of all home sales in 2009, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, and in many markets that number is much higher.

But with inventory still high in some areas, buyers may have a tough time making up their mind. Here's how to make sure your condo listings create a great first impression.

1. Make the front door shine.
Keep it simple, clean, and attractive, says Debbie Rumsey with Century 21 Sea Coast in Encinitas, Calif. If the front door is exposed to the outside, remove knickknacks such as wind chimes and add a healthy potted plant. And don't forget a fresh welcome mat.

2. Get buy-in from the neighbors.
A friendly smile from a neighbor can be just what a buyer needs to make an offer, says Joan Lorberbaum Moore of Lang Realty in Boca Raton, Fla. "I make it a point to introduce myself to the residents of the neighboring apartments when I take on a new listing."

3. Show off hidden treasures.
If the front of the building is blah, then highlight a different area as your main property photo, says Margaret Goss of Baird & Warner in Winnetka, Ill. For example, focus on the back of the building to show off attractive amenities such as a pool or garden.

4. Tidy up the mail.
In multifamily buildings with a central area for mailboxes, add a nice basket for overflow mail, says Elizabeth Bolton of Coldwell Banker in Cambridge, Mass. Also, make sure hallways and stairs are swept or vacuumed and that shoes aren't left outside the doors.

5. Team up with the HOA.
When there are many units for sale in the same building, why not work together to make sure the building is looking its best? Christopher Watters of Texas Ranch & Home Realty in Austin, Texas, suggests attending a condo association meeting to discuss simple improvements such as sprucing up the lobby, planting flowers, or adding flattering external lighting.

Published: April 2010 REALTOR magazine

Reprinted from REALTOR® magazine with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.