As advised by health professionals across the board, I try to sneak in a few walks a day. Forever aiming for the 7,000 steps and up club, I wander aimlessly through my neighborhood, gaze lingering on bright blooms and slow-moving creeks as they wind through ornate entryways and around cobblestone steps. I imagine my future home—fragrant lavender blooms and clovers speckled around towering pines and old oak trees. I let my mind wander with my feet.
After 25 years in the industry, April Florczyk has earned her place in the top 0.02% of her market. She has solidified her status as a premier name in luxury real estate, with an eye for what truly draws the eye.
“Curb appeal sets the tone, tells a story, and instantly signals whether a property has been well cared for,” April explains. “For buyers, strong curb appeal creates intrigue and suggests pride of ownership. It can spark emotional connection, drive demand, and even trigger a bidding war.”
She continues, “On the flip side, neglected curb appeal can cause a home to linger on the market and invite lower offers. At the end of the day, curb appeal isn’t just about looks, it’s the story your home tells the world about you and your home.”
But curb appeal goes beyond impressing your neighbors or prepping a home for sale. It becomes the creation of a space that feels welcoming, intentional, and truly yours. It’s the quiet satisfaction of pulling into your driveway and feeling proud of what you see. It’s the joy of seasonal flowers in bloom, the warmth of a freshly painted door, or the simple calm that comes from a tidy, well-loved yard.
Enhancing your home’s exterior doesn’t require a major renovation. Small touches like a swept walkway, trimmed hedges, or fresh mulch can transform the way your home feels and functions. They elevate your everyday experience and create a visual rhythm that brings peace and order to the outside of your life.
“‘I wish I had done this sooner so I could’ve enjoyed it,’ is the most common thing I hear from sellers right after they cleaned up their curb appeal,” April shares. “So often, sellers make updates right before listing—fresh paint, landscaping, new fixtures—only to realize how much those changes improved the feel and function of their home.”
Sure, the updates add market value, but for a soon-to-be-seller, the reward is short-lived. April encourages anyone—whether you’re thinking of selling soon or not—to treat themselves to a fresh update, a curb appeal that both draws the eye and invites you home.
“Consider making those updates now so you can enjoy them and benefit from the increased resale value later. It really is a win-win.”
With nearly 30 years of experience, April has witnessed firsthand how small updates can dramatically shift a home’s atmosphere. Her advice on weekend projects without a high price tag: pull the weeds, trim the trees, prune the hedges, and do what you can to clean up the clutter. Sweep up the cobwebs and reign in the piling leaves.
Because at its heart, curb appeal is less about perfection and more about presence.
It’s about creating a space that reflects who you are and how you live, one thoughtful detail at a time. Whether you’re walking the dog, hosting friends, or simply coming home after a long day, the exterior of your home is your first hello and your quiet welcome back.
So plant the lavender. Sweep the path. Get the new sconce. Not because you have to, but because you deserve to love what welcomes you home.