Jonathan Swanson knows that building a billion-dollar business isn’t something you can do on your own. In the past 16 years, Swanson has founded two fast-growing startups: San Francisco-based Thumbtack, a home-services marketplace with a valuation of over $3 billion, and his most recent venture, San Juan, Puerto Rico-based Athena, a platform that pairs leaders with personal assistants. One of the keys to his success as a business owner has been knowing when and how to delegate tasks, he explained on a recent edition of the a16z podcast.
The most valuable resource a founder has is time, says Swanson, and by offloading some responsibilities (and distractions) to other team members, you’re better able to focus on growing the business.
On the podcast, Swanson discussed ways to delegate more efficiently, whether it’s having an assistant handle your inbox or empowering an employee to oversee a more critical task.
Focus on long term gains
Odds are you can, in fact, do whatever task you’re thinking of faster or better. You, after all, know exactly how you want it handled. But that’s the cardinal sin of delegating, Swanson says. Over the long term, delegating will get the task done as you expect it to be—and free up your schedule.
An Inc.com Featured Presentation
“It will actually be faster or better if you do it yourself that first time,” he says. “And it takes more effort to delegate, to teach someone how to do it. It might not be as fast or as good as you’d like it, but the only way you get leverage is by going through that work.”
Don’t wait to delegate
In the early stages of a startup, founders might resist the need to hire an assistant when they’re on a shoestring budget. Swanson says that’s a mistake. If you can’t afford a human assistant to delegate tasks to, there are plenty of budget options for delegation.
“If you don’t have an assistant, you are the assistant. And you don’t want to be the assistant,” he says. “If you’ve got 20 bucks a month, use ChatGPT. If you’ve got 10 bucks an hour, go on to Upwork and hire someone yourself. And if you hire someone yourself, my main recommendation is you need to interview a lot of people.”
As a homeowner, your curb appeal is important for several reasons. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate pride of ownership, contribute to the home’s appreciation, create a first impression for buyers, and help to maintain the overall home values in your neighborhood.
And a recent report by Nextdoor and Thumbtack found that curb appeal also affects the neighborhood and neighborly relationships. There are projects that can boost your home’s curb appeal; however, the report also found that neighbors have pretty specific complaints regarding bad curb appeal as well.
“There are more than 305,000 neighborhoods on Nextdoor and each neighborhood exudes its unique charm and character, making the perception of curb appeal a subjective experience,” explains Caty Kobe, head of community at Nextdoor.
So, what could seem out of place in one neighborhood could be charming in another. “Embracing the distinctiveness of each community is essential in appreciating the diverse tapestry of curb appeal across different neighborhoods,” she says.
However, bad curb appeal can negatively affect both potential buyers and neighbors.
“Generally speaking, when people are choosing a neighborhood, they want to know that their future neighbors care for their homes as much as the buyers will care for the home they plan to purchase,” says Bret Ceren, associate broker at Platinum Living Realty in Scottsdale, AZ.
New buyers purchasing in an area want to feel that they belong and will fit into the community. “Since homes are a reflection of our lifestyle – what we currently have or what we want – then feeling like we belong is usually a priority,” Ceren explains. And if property owners do not care enough for their own home to maintain it properly, he says it’s a good chance that they won’t be concerned about what happens in the neighborhood, either.
“This can lead to an uneasiness about future circumstances that could escalate into needing to move to a different community, which is a costly chore – as such, whether true or not, potential buyers heavily evaluate a home not only on its own curb appeal, but also by that of the area neighbors.”
And existing neighbors tend to have strong feelings as well when someone is engaging in bad curb appeal.
In fact, the Nextdoor/Thumbtack survey respondents agreed that these were the biggest curb appeal faux pas.
Trash in the Yard (81%)
The most egregious curb appeal faux pas, listed by 81% of respondents, was trash in the yard.
Ceren considers this an inexcusable offense. “We live in a first-world country with weekly trash service in the vast majority of municipalities,” he says. “Not only is it unsightly, but a health risk, and attracts unwelcome visitors, both insects and animals.”
Ceren’s view is shared by Gene Caballero, co-founder of GreenPal in Nashville, TN, who tells us, “A yard cluttered with trash is not just visually unappealing, it can contribute to pest issues, as many types of refuse provide ideal breeding grounds for insects or can attract rodents.”
And that’s not all – it can actually be harmful to the environment and local wildlife, according to Caballero, who is a landscape expert. “Discarded items can leach harmful substances into the soil, contaminate groundwater, and pose hazards to animals.”
However, homeowners may have differing views regarding what’s considered trash. Hopefully, everyone is in agreement that household waste should be placed into a trash bag, and then a trash can – but that’s not the only definition of this term. “Trash could be a tired old swing set, old toys, clutter around the yard, a broken mailbox, or old faded house numbers,” says Michael Crisp, real estate agent for The Keyes Company in Coral Springs, FL. “Or, it could be lawn equipment, unrolled garden hoses, stacked items, old pavers on the side of the home, or just abused and tattered patio furniture.”
Overgrown Landscaping (81%)
Trash in the yard is actually tied for first place with overgrown landscaping (81%) as the worst curb appeal faux pax. According to Crisp, it’s important to cut back hedges and trim trees that may hide the home and make it feel old and dated. “Cutting and trimming can make the home and yard feel larger and more open, which in turn makes the property feel full of life – and this resonates with both neighbors and potential buyers.”
Overgrown Lawn (77%)
Survey respondents also listed an overgrown lawn (77%) as a serious curb appeal problem. “Not only is this unsightly, but it is a waste of precious resources,” explains Ceren. “Taller grass requires more water, or only those areas around the sprinklers will grow, depriving the rest of the lawn of the water it needs to be healthy, which may require future reseeding to make it grow again.”
Also, overgrown lawns (and landscapes as well) can host pests and diseases. “Thick, uncontrolled vegetation provides perfect hiding and breeding places for insects, rodents, and other pests,” Caballero says. “Overgrown plants are also more prone to disease, as the lack of airflow can create a damp environment that many plant diseases thrive in.”
Parking Old Cars, RVs, Vans, or Boats Out Front (64%)
Another major curb appeal issue, listed by 64% of respondents, is parking old motor vehicles in front of a home. “Repairing vehicles is as much an American pastime as baseball, so the desire to do so is respected by many,” says Ceren. And he understands that some projects may be delayed or forgotten. “The problem is that the materials for these projects take up a lot more space than just a workbench in a garage.”
And he notes that it’s one thing to park old vehicles behind a backyard fence, but says it’s another thing entirely to let them spill out into the front yard. “And, they can also attract reptiles, rodents and other vermin to live in them, creating another safety hazard.” And in addition to being unsightly, Caballero notes that unused vehicles can leak oils and other fluids, which can seep into the ground.
“It may be worth your while to speak to a storage facility or yard to store old vehicles there,” Crisp recommends. “It is a huge distraction from the property when they are a major barrier just taking up space.”
Poorly Maintained Fences and Exterior (58%)
Next on the list, 58% of survey respondents were turned off by poorly maintained fences and exteriors. Ceren says deferred maintenance is a red flag to potential buyers, and it doesn’t sit well with neighbors, either. However, it’s more than just an eyesore. “Over time, issues like rot, rust, and general wear and tear can compromise structural integrity, potentially leading to safety issues,” Caballero explains. And the damage can escalate over time if not addressed, and may result in more costly repairs in the future.
Depending on the type of fence, Crisp recommends pressure washing it, as well as the driveways and sidewalks. “And many items such as fences can be changed drastically with a little paint or spray-on stain that will add a warm pop of color,” he says.
Home’s Exterior Needing a Wash or Paint Job (57%)
The last major bad curb appeal issue was a home’s exterior in need of being power-washed or painted (57%). Ceren says this is another example of deferred maintenance that could be a red flag to potential buyers. And it can also be frustrating to neighbors trying to maintain their own home’s property value.
Nicholas Oliver, principal broker at HomeDax Real Estate in New York, NY, says this is even a problem with the townhouses that he is involved in selling, buying, and renting. “Townhouse sellers often overlook the need for facade cleaning prior to listing, as pigeon poop is a recurring problem (birds often perch on window ledges or cornices of townhouses),” he says. “The accumulation of bird droppings and feathers not only makes the townhouse look neglected, but also reduces natural light.”
And since most NYC townhouses aren’t particularly bright to begin with, Oliver says any reduction in lighting can deter buyers – especially those transitioning from apartments. “Façade cleaning is particularly important for narrower townhouses, which in NYC is anything less than 18′ wide.”
And beyond aesthetics, Caballero says, “An unclean or poorly painted home exterior can have implications beyond aesthetics, since mold, mildew, and dirt can accumulate over time, and cause damage to the home’s exterior surfaces if not cleaned regularly. On the other hand, he says a good paint job acts as a first line of defense against weather, insects, and other potential damage to the home’s exterior.
Extenuating Circumstances
Bad curb appeal is a turnoff to both potential buyers and neighbors. However, as it relates to the latter, Kobe warns against being judgmental or jumping to conclusions. “While curb appeal can undoubtedly enhance the aesthetic allure of a community, it’s important to recognize that every neighbor’s circumstance is different and external appearances seldom reveal the true depth of someone’s character.”
For example, she says a neighbor’s lawn may be overgrown because they’ve been facing health challenges and are not currently able to address their front yard. Or a neighbor may have lost their job and doesn’t have the funds to move an old vehicle or repair their fence. “If someone’s aesthetic doesn’t match yours, it could be a great opportunity to lean in and learn more about your neighbor,” she concludes.
The top projects that recent sellers say helped sell their homes were a fresh coat of paint and … [+] landscaping.
getty
Sellers gearing up for the spring home shopping season need to roll up their sleeves now and spruce up their homes if they want to attract a shrinking pool of buyers. Investing in improvements, maintenance and repairs could pay off when it’s time to sell.
New research commissioned by Zillow and conducted by The Harris Poll finds a majority of recent sellers (65%) take on at least two home improvement projects to prepare their home for sale, while Thumbtack data finds they can invest about $5,400 on average when hiring a professional to complete the most common projects.
The survey finds that sellers who sold their home within the past two years most commonly completed interior painting (40% did this), carpet cleaning (35%) and landscaping (33%) before listing their home for sale.
Data from Thumbtack shows the average cost of those projects adds up to $5,388, but can average as much as $8,249 in metro areas like Seattle-Tacoma and as little as $4,102 in metro areas like Miami–Fort Lauderdale. In addition to location, costs for these home improvements can vary based on the size and scope of the project. For instance, smaller landscaping projects, such as flower planting, lawn upkeep and shrub trimming, can cost several hundred dollars, while larger projects involving tree planting and sprinkler installation can cost thousands.
“These projects can instantly boost a home’s online curb appeal,” said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert. “An inviting outdoor space, clean floors and a fresh coat of paint — particularly in the right color — can deliver a powerful signal to potential buyers that a home is well-maintained and contemporary. While sellers may be reluctant to shell out for these projects up front, those improvements can ultimately pay off, either by helping a home sell faster or for more money.”
Nearly 3 in 4 recent sellers (74%) believe the improvement projects they completed to prepare their home for sale helped their home sell. The top projects that recent sellers say helped sell their homes were interior painting (27%) and landscaping (21%).
“A well-maintained home is one of the best ways for homeowners to attract buyers,” said David Steckel, home expert at Thumbtack. “Thumbtack research finds a well-maintained home can sell for about 10% more than a similar home in average condition. Buyers are making life’s biggest investment, and they want the peace of mind that they’re investing in a home that was well cared for.”
When considering which projects to skip, only 11% of recent sellers thought appliance repair or replacement, and roof repair, maintenance or cleaning helped sell their home. Meanwhile, fewer than one in five of recent sellers (17%) believe completing a kitchen renovation to prepare their home for sale helped sell it. While costs vary depending on the work done and materials chosen, this project can average $10,355.
Neglecting needed repairs and minor cosmetic updates can lead to seller regret, particularly in today’s shifting market. The Zillow survey found that 30% of recent sellers think more home improvements or repairs would have helped them get a higher sale price. Separate Zillow research finds that about two in three real estate agents believe today’s sellers are mistaken if they think they don’t need to make home improvements before selling.
Late April is traditionally the best time to list a home for sale, which means now is the time to get a jump on any repairs or improvements. Previous Zillow research found that the top seller’s regret is that they didn’t start the process of preparing their home for sale sooner. And one-quarter of sellers who made at least one home improvement before listing their home for sale say it took longer than expected.
Today’s housing market is far different than the frenzied pandemic era of bidding wars and record-fast sales. A recent Zillow analysis finds that homes are now lingering on the market for a median of 54 days, 45% longer than last year. However, the listings that are finding buyers are doing so in 18 days nationwide, suggesting the most appealing homes are still moving very quickly. Real estate agents can help sellers decide which projects are worth the investment based on the market in their neighborhood.
