Phone
(817) 427-1200
By The Wall Team
Colleyville curb appeal starts working on buyers before they ever see your front door. The first photo online and the first glance from the street shape how they feel about everything inside. We have more than 170 years of combined real estate experience on our team, and we know which exterior updates catch a buyer's eye in North Texas and which ones go unnoticed. Here is where to put your time and money before you list.
Key Takeaways
- A healthy lawn sets the tone, and North Texas grasses respond to a few simple habits.
- Heat-tolerant plants and fresh mulch keep beds looking full through a Texas summer.
- Colleyville regulates tree removal, so check with the city before cutting anything down.
- Small updates at the front entry give you a strong first impression for a modest cost.
Start With the Lawn
Your lawn takes up most of what a buyer sees from the street, so give it attention first. St. Augustine, Bermuda, Zoysia, and Buffalograss are the grasses most common across North Texas, and each one has its own needs. Whichever grass you have, the goal is an even, green, neatly edged lawn by the time you take listing photos.
Lawn Habits That Show in Photos
- Mow often: Mowing every 4 to 7 days in summer keeps the lawn tidy, and following the one-third rule means you never cut more than a third of the blade at once.
- Water deeply in the morning: Water early in the day, deeply and infrequently, rather than in the evening, which can invite lawn disease.
- Time your fertilizer: Start about 4 to 6 weeks after the last frost, and nitrogen should only go down during active growth.
- Aerate once a year: Core aeration relieves compacted soil, which helps the lawn recover from heavy summer use.
Plants and Mulch That Handle the Heat
Colleyville summers are hard on beds, so choose plants that hold up. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension runs the Texas Superstar program to name plants that perform well across Texas, are easy to propagate, and are widely available at reasonable prices. Several Superstar picks suit North Texas beds, and they give you color without constant replanting.
Fresh mulch finishes the look. A layer of 2 to 3 inches suits most garden beds, and you should keep it several inches away from trunks and stems so moisture does not build up against the plant.
Plants Worth Adding Before You List
- Lantana: Varieties like New Gold Lantana bring bright color through hot weather, though lantana typically grows as an annual in North Texas.
- 'Henry Duelberg' Salvia: This Superstar perennial adds color to a front bed.
- Gulf Muhly Grass: It adds texture and movement along a border.
- Natural mulch: Chipped hardwood or pine bark looks clean and supports the soil better than synthetic or dyed mulch.
Mature Trees and Colleyville's Rules
Mature trees are part of Colleyville's character, and the city takes them seriously. Colleyville adopted its first ordinance regulating tree removal in 1993, and today Urban Forestry rules sit in the city's Land Development Code. If a tree is not exempt under the code, you need a tree removal permit before it comes down.
That matters when you want a clearer view of the front of your home. Do not remove anything before you check with the city.
Tree Steps Before You List
- Contact Urban Forestry: Ask the city whether a tree falls under the code before you hire anyone to cut it.
- Prune dead branches: Removing dead limbs improves the look of the canopy without removing the tree.
- Clear branches from the roofline: Trimmed branches let buyers see the full front of the house.
- Photograph in good light: Shoot the front exterior when the trees cast soft, even shade.
Make the Front Entry Count
The front entry is where a buyer decides whether to keep looking or start imagining life there. A few focused updates go a long way, and you do not need a full remodel to see the difference. Pressure washing the driveway, front steps, and siding brings back color that years of Texas sun and dust have dulled.
Front Entry Updates That Pay Off
- Front door color: A fresh coat of paint in a deep, confident shade draws the eye right to the entrance.
- Hardware and house numbers: New numbers, a mailbox, and door hardware make the front look current.
- Outdoor lighting: Updated fixtures at the door and along the front path add warmth for evening showings.
- Planters: Two matching planters by the door add color without crowding the entry.
Get the Timing Right
Plan your exterior work around your listing date so everything looks its best when photos and showings begin. Start lawn care and planting early enough for the grass and beds to fill in. Save pressure washing and final touch-ups for the week before your photographer arrives.
A Simple Pre-Listing Order
- Weeks ahead: Begin lawn care, schedule any tree work, and plant new beds.
- Days ahead: Add fresh mulch and refresh planters.
- Photo day: Mow, edge, and clear the driveway and front steps.
FAQs
How much should I spend on Colleyville curb appeal before selling?
Start with the low-cost steps like mowing, edging, mulch, and pressure washing, because they change the look of your home the most for the least money. We look at your home with you and tell you which updates fit your price point and timeline.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Colleyville?
You may. The city requires a tree removal permit when a tree is not exempt under its code, so contact Colleyville's Urban Forestry office before you remove anything. We recommend doing this well before your listing date.
What plants hold up best in a North Texas summer?
Texas Superstar selections like lantana, 'Henry Duelberg' Salvia, and Gulf Muhly Grass are all heat-tolerant picks for North Texas beds. Pair them with a fresh layer of mulch and you have color that lasts through the summer.
Contact Us Today
If you are getting ready to sell in Colleyville, we can help you decide which exterior updates matter most and which can wait. Our team knows the local market and what buyers respond to when they pull up to a home.
Reach out to us, The Wall Team, and we will set up a time to look at your home and plan your listing. We are ready to help you put your best front forward.
Header photo Courtesy of The Wall Team