6 Curb Appeal Choices That Can Hurt Your Home's Resale Price

Key Points

• Choose neutral, classic exterior paint colors and leave natural brick unpainted.

• Improve curb appeal with fresh landscaping, but avoid trees too close to the home or plantings that block windows.

• Stick with budget-friendly lighting updates such as LED fixtures rather than expensive smart systems.

When a home is on the market, curb appeal is often one of the first things that draws in buyers. Still, not every exterior update is worth the money. Some changes can fail to deliver a return and may even make a house harder to sell or reduce what buyers are willing to pay.

Experts explain which curb appeal updates are worth considering and which ones are better left alone.

Meet Our Expert

1. Painted Brick

Refreshing a front door with color or giving the exterior a new coat of paint can be an effective way to improve a home’s appearance. But altering surfaces that were never meant to be painted can backfire, especially when it comes to brick.

“Painting exterior brick, regardless of what color, can be a red flag for some buyers,” says Jason Strat, senior real estate agent at Rocket Homes. “Natural brick requires little to no maintenance, while painted brick will need to be repainted every three to five years. This added maintenance might be a dealbreaker for buyers interested in a low-maintenance exterior.”

2. Bright, Bold Colors

Before choosing a new exterior color, it helps to be selective. “When choosing exterior paint colors, it’s best to avoid dark or overly bright colors,” says Albert Safdie, an agent at Coldwell Banker Warburg. “Stick with classic, timeless tones that complement the neighboring properties.”

He and other experts also caution against overly dramatic shades. “If I were painting a house for curb appeal, I would venture towards white, cream, and dark green,” says broker Ellen Sykes of Coldwell Banker Warburg. “I would stay away from purple, orange, yellow, brown—if not in a woodland setting, red and black.”

Unusual color choices can also create concerns about future expenses. “Potential buyers may factor in the future cost of repainting the entire exterior,” Safdie adds. “This can ultimately impact the perceived value of the home and lead to a lower purchase price.”

3. Poorly Placed Trees and Shrubs

Flowers and fresh mulch can make a front yard feel welcoming and well cared for. Experts agree that landscaping improvements can be one of the best ways to boost curb appeal.

Still, it may be wise to avoid large trees and oversized shrubs in the wrong spots. “Planting trees too close to the house can be a potential concern for buyers. They might worry about future damage to the exterior or roof and see tree removal as an additional expense they’ll need to deal with later,” Strat says. “This can negatively impact a property’s appeal and perceived value.”

Sykes also says plant placement matters. “Rows of round boxwood shrubs and mountain pines placed strategically in the garden beds disrupt the enjoyment of a pretty garden,” Sykes says. “Putting trees in front of windows is also a mistake—you can’t see outside, and it makes the house dark. I am seeing a lot of grasses these days, and they can be effective, although not on the front lawn of a suburban dwelling. They belong to houses in more rural areas.”

4. Overly Customized Upgrades

A real estate agent can point out which exterior details need attention, whether that means fixing damaged siding, trimming back overgrown beds, or repairing a noisy screen door. Even a better mailbox can help improve the overall look.

But while making updates, homeowners should keep the broadest group of buyers in mind. Changes that are too personalized can limit appeal instead of expanding it.

“While such additions may be well-intentioned, what one homeowner sees as creative or luxurious might not align with a buyer’s taste,” Safdie says. “It’s best to keep architectural elements classic and neutral, allowing for future owners to customize the home to their liking. Personalized or unconventional features can become negotiating points and potentially reduce the final purchase price.”

Safdie recalls one New York home where a skylight was added above a bathtub, bringing in light but also creating privacy concerns for some buyers.

5. Large Front Doors

Another curb appeal trend has been swapping out the front door for one that is larger and more dramatic. That may create a striking entrance, but a bigger door is not always the better choice.

“If the house is huge, then a large and elaborate front door installation could be in proportion and appropriate,” Sykes says. “Putting them on a small to medium-sized house throws the proportions off. Unless you have taken architectural or art courses, you may not realize what is bothering you, but subliminally you are reacting, and not favorably.”

Instead, experts recommend choosing a door that fits the home’s scale. “Stick with a nice door, not too large, and perhaps window panes on either side, unless you like to be private until you open the front door,” Sykes suggests.

6. Expensive Lighting Systems

Lighting can be one of the most effective ways to show off a home’s features and improve curb appeal. Experts often suggest spotlights for landscaping and walkway lights for paths leading to the front door or backyard.

Good lighting can also make a house number easier to see and create a more inviting entryway. “I’ve seen properties with spotlights thoughtfully placed throughout the landscape, creating a truly magical atmosphere at night,” Safdie says.

Even so, the best return usually comes from keeping the upgrade simple and affordable. “While this lighting effect can be stunning, it’s important to understand the long-term implications,” Safdie adds.

That means skipping elaborate smart lighting setups in favor of affordable LED bulbs and fixtures that accomplish the same basic goal.

“While visually captivating, outdoor lighting systems like this are costly to install and can be very expensive to maintain, especially in regions that experience wide temperature fluctuations and harsh seasonal conditions,” he adds. “Repairs to exposed electrical systems require specialized labor and can add unexpected expenses for future homeowners.”