| Ashton Village "Curb Appeal" ... | ||
| The ‘Tangible’ Livability Factor | ||
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“Curb Appeal” is the impression your home's
exterior conveys to the casual observer from the street. Your home’s
exterior creates an emotional desire to own a home in the Ashton Village
neighborhood and to live the lifestyle it represents. Maintaining your
home’s curb appeal is one of the safest investments you can make. Click here to view the Ashton Village "Curb Appeal" Sweepstakes Rules... |
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So how can you measure your home’s curb appeal? First, stand in the street in front of your home and assess its condition and appearance. Look at your property with a critical eye. View your property from various angles. Is the roof in good shape? Are there any obvious problems with the structure or the trim around the door or the windows? Is the landscaping in good shape? Are there any obvious detractions? What repairs can be made? Also look at your property at night. Does the lighting work and is it effective? If you need some creative suggestions, don’t be afraid to ask friends, family, neighbors, landscapers, or anyone known for providing painfully objective feedback.
Then develop a "To Do" list to enhance your home's overall image. Many of these suggestions are pretty simple. Some are more involved. Some you may never have thought of. Boosting your home's curb appeal might be as simple as replacing a broken screen, or trimming a dead branch, or trimming a hedge. To help improve your home’s curb appeal as well as the neighborhood’s attractiveness, consider the checklist below.
Does your home have "Curb Appeal"?
"Curb Appeal" Check List:
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How does the paint look? If it’s been more than 5 years since you last painted, then consider a fresh coat. Choose a color scheme that sets your home apart from others on the block, but doesn't clash with the other homes in the neighborhood. If in doubt, seek a neighbor’s opinion. Also, don't forget to submit your choices to the Ashton Village HOA Architectural Committee before beginning work. |
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Do you have roof stains? Consider a new roof. A new roof can make a huge difference. Upgraded roofs shingles can add contrast and texture to your home's look. And new ridge-vents can save you money on your cooling bills. |
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Are your rain gutters sagging? If they’re looking old and weathered, consider a non-clogging, leaf-tolerant replacement. |
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Avoid using the front of your home or driveway for storage. |
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Do not park vehicles on lawns in Ashton Village. |
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Keep your driveway, and walkways clean and clear of debris. |
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Avoid parking vehicles on the street in front of your home for extended periods. |
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How does your home look at night? Is your exterior lighting adequate and functioning properly? |
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Shutters are a great place to add vibrant accent colors, but be sure to use a paint color that will go well with the color of the siding. |
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If you have visible patio furniture, BBQs, or playground equipment, be sure it is in good repair. |
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Keep the grass cut, and trimmed. Pull weeds regularly. Plant some flowers. |
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Keep over grown trees and bushes cut back. |
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Trim shrubs so that windows and doors are not hidden. |
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Keep tree limbs or pine needles off your roof. Dispose of dead & dying branches. |
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Well-manicured landscaping definitely helps boost curb appeal. |
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Keeping the garage doors closed or keeping a clean garage can also help. |
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Remove trash cans or recycling bins from sight, as soon as possible. |
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Consider applying a fresh layer of mulch, and/or bark to planting beds. |
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Clean all windows, inside & out, including the frames. |
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Replace old, rusty mail boxes or leaning posts in a style that suits the house and the Ashton Village neighborhood. |
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Consider painting the mail box post in a color consistent with the main house. |
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If not used recently, put outside toys away. |
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Repair or replace any faded house numbers. Curb-painted house numbers may need repainting. |
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Pressure wash the exterior of your home to remove dirt & mildew, etc. |
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Driveways, sidewalks, and other items can also be pressure washed. |
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How does the garage door look? |
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Polish your brass knockers, lanterns, house numbers, kick-plates, and doorbell buttons, etc. |
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Make sure all exterior lights are in working order. Replace aging fixtures. New fixtures can have a dramatic affect on the overall appearance. |
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Consider replacing and/or updating your front door. The front door is one of the most prominent details of your house. |
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Cut-glass storm doors can be BOTH practical and elegant. |
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Take pictures of your home from the street and share them with others for their opinions. Take pride in your Ashton Village neighborhood! |
Summary note: The look of your home starts with the neighborhood, works its way to your yard and culminates at the front of your home. The steps that we take to ensure that our homes look attractive and inviting are definitely worth the effort. Our property-values are directly related to how our community looks and feels. ‘Curb appeal’ affects property values. Paying attention to curb appeal makes sense for Ashton Village.
Ashton Village "Curb Appeal" Sweepstakes
The Ashton Village HOA hosts a
neighborhood-wide “Curb Appeal” Sweepstakes. Every homeowner has a chance to
win. The HOA awards TWO (2) $100.00 Lowes Gift Cards based on a single
winning ENTRY selected at random from all Ashton Village “Curb Appeal” homeowner
entries. One gift card will be awarded to the NOMINEE and the other gift card
will be given to the NOMINATOR. So vote today!
Purpose: To promote homeowner pride and positive neighborhood appearance in
the Ashton Village community.
Sweepstakes Rules:
- One entry per household.
- Must be a resident of Ashton Village.
- Cannot vote for your own address.
- An entry can be submitted at anytime between now and the sweepstakes deadline.
- No anonymous entries.
- Entries MUST contain the “Curb Appeal” nominee’s address
- Entry MUST contain the name & address of the submitter.
- Entries MUST be submitted via e-mail to:
CurbAppealSweepstakes@AshtonVillageHOA.com
- If more than one entry is submitted by a household, then ONLY the most recent
entry will be considered. (In case you change your mind.)
Homeowners are encouraged to nominate an Ashton Village address that
demonstrates ‘exceptional’ care for the overall exterior appearance of their
yard AND their home that can be viewed by the casual observer from
the street. By definition, ‘curb appeal’ is not limited to landscaping, but
includes the "whole package".
The Ashton Village HOA will draw one lucky entry at random from the pool of all
submitted entries. The more entries a particular address receives the better the
odds for that particular address. Based on the winning entry, two $100 Lowes gift cards
will be awarded, one to each of the addresses on that entry.
Cast your ballot now by sending an
e-mail to:
CurbAppealSweepstakes@AshtonVillageHOA.com
With the homeowner’s permission, a digital photo of the winning “Curb Appeal”
entry will be displayed on the Ashton Village HOA website.
Thanks for making Ashton Village one of Houston's most livable
neighborhoods!