By Anne Dresser Kocur
A purchaser forms an opinion of your home before ever opening the front door. NAR’s 2023 outdoor features report says 92% of Realtors have suggested that owners improve curb appeal before listing. I like to start with low-cost fixes that also match the City of Greenwood Village’s exterior maintenance standards. Here are five easy projects to finish before photos and tours.
Key Takeaways
- Agent advice: NAR’s 2023 outdoor features report says 92% of Realtors have suggested sellers improve curb appeal before listing.
- Lawn care: The same report estimates 217% cost recovery for a standard lawn care service, based on a $415 cost and $900 recovered.
- Front door: NAR’s 2025 Remodeling Impact report lists a 100% estimated cost recovery for a new steel front door.
- City rules: Greenwood Village’s code enforcement page says owners must keep grass and weeds under 8 inches, with allowances for rural areas.
Mow, Edge, and Water the Lawn
The city’s code enforcement page says weeds and grass must stay under 8 inches tall. It also lists Canada thistle and diffuse knapweed among the noxious weeds that owners must remove.
Lawn Care Points
- Lawn height: Mow weekly and edge along walks and driveways before every showing.
- Noxious weeds: Check for Canada thistle, diffuse knapweed, leafy spurge, musk thistle, and puncturevine, which the city lists as noxious weeds.
- Cost recovery: NAR’s 2023 report estimates 217% recovery for lawn care and 87% for tree care, based on a $2,875 tree care cost and $2,500 recovered.
Water-wise care matters along the Front Range, where Colorado State University Extension says the region averages under 15 inches of rain a year. Remove dead or broken trees and shrubs, which the city also lists as violations.
Refresh the Front Door and Entry
NAR’s 2025 Remodeling Impact report, developed with NARI, lists a new steel front door at 100% estimated cost recovery and a new fiberglass door at 80%. These figures are estimates from NARI members, so treat them as guidance.
Entry Upgrades
- Door: Repaint a sound door in a clean color that suits the exterior of the home.
- Hardware: Install new house numbers, a working doorbell, and a fresh welcome mat.
- Paint and shutters: The city lists peeling or faded paint, damaged shingles, and broken windows or shutters as exterior maintenance violations, so fix those first.
Pressure wash the porch and walkway before photos. Wipe down the windows so natural light reaches the entry.
Choose Water-Wise Plants and Fresh Mulch
Colorado State University Extension says mulch reduces evaporation, weeds, and erosion, and it advises grouping plants by water need. The same source notes that more than half of household water goes to landscaping.
Landscape Choices
- Mulch beds: Add a fresh layer of mulch to define planting beds.
- Low-water turf areas: CSU suggests replacing some grass with mulched beds, decks, or paths, and it names buffalo grass and blue grama as low-water grasses.
- HOA rules: A 2023 Colorado law limits how far associations can restrict xeriscape on single-family detached homes, while still letting them adopt design rules.
Confirm your association’s current rules before you change the front yard. I am not an attorney, so ask a lawyer about legal questions.
Hide Bins and Repair Visible Flaws
Greenwood Village code section 7-2-210 requires trash and recycling containers to be stored in a garage or a screened area. It allows containers at the curb only one day before pickup and requires removal by midnight on pickup day.
Visible Flaws to Fix
- Fences: The city lists a broken fence as an exterior maintenance violation.
- Storage: Outdoor storage of items unrelated to the property’s use is regulated, so clear away stray equipment.
- Litter: Remove litter and refuse promptly, as the city requires.
Walk the street as a visitor would and note anything that draws the eye. Call Community Development at 303-486-5783 with zoning questions.
Clear the Walkway and Place the Sign
The city says owners of single-family homes with an abutting sidewalk must clear snow and ice within 48 hours of accumulation, and they may not push snow into the street. Clear paths also make winter showings easier for visitors.
Sign and Walkway Rules
- For-sale sign: The city’s residential sign guide allows one unlighted for-sale sign per lot, up to 6 square feet and 3 feet tall, with no permit.
- Removal: The guide says the sign must come down within 10 days after the sale or lease.
- Date check: The guide was revised in 2020, so confirm the current sign code with the city.
Place the sign where it is visible from the street and does not block the walkway. I can coordinate the sign location with your listing photos.
FAQs
What are the best curb appeal tips for sellers in Greenwood Village?
Start with a mowed lawn, a clean entry, and hidden trash bins. NAR’s 2023 report puts lawn care cost recovery at 217%, and its 2025 report lists a steel front door at 100%. Check the city’s exterior maintenance standards before you begin.
How much does curb appeal work cost?
NAR cites estimated costs of $415 for standard lawn care and $2,875 for tree care. Your total depends on the size of your lot and the work needed. Get written quotes before you hire anyone.
Do Greenwood Village rules affect my yard before I list?
The city’s code enforcement page lists height limits for grass and weeds, rules for trash container storage, and snow removal timelines. Your homeowners association may add its own rules. Ask the association and the city if you are unsure.
Reach Out to Anne Dresser Kocur
If you are preparing to list your Greenwood Village home, reach out to
Anne Dresser Kocur for a personalized curb appeal plan.
