When buyers approach your home, they’ll often make a snap judgment before they even get out of the car. That’s why it’s so important that the exterior of your house be as bright and attractive as possible. Real-estate professionals refer to this attractiveness as “curb appeal,” and it applies to everything from the roof to the doorway to the landscaping. Curb appeal can be improved in many ways, regardless of your budget.

Determining Home Curb Appeal

Enlist the help of a friend (or neighbor, or someone else who doesn’t have your emotional ties to your home) to get an objective view of your house’s curb appeal. Stand on the curb and look critically at your house. In particular, check for:

• clutter (such as toys or garden tools)
• faded or peeling paint
• patchy areas of grass on the lawn
• uncoordinated shutters and doors
• unkempt lawn
• weeds.

Write down any problem areas you see and make a priority list to tackle those issues. Getting rid of any clutter is the easiest improvement and should be done before starting bigger projects.

Curb Appeal Ideas: Landscaping

A properly landscaped yard can make a world of difference in a home’s appearance. Trim back any existing plants so they look neat and not overgrown. If your lawn is patchy in spots, lay down some fresh sod. Adding additional plants can greatly improve your home’s landscape. Trees provide a stately look and draw the eye. Tall bushes provide accents to your home’s exterior, and smaller bushes complete the look. Bright yellow flowers are cheery and inviting.

Try adding a bench, fence or other accessory to your landscape. A walkway can be spruced up by laying down bricks, concrete or stone.

Be sure to mow the lawn, weed the garden and rake leaves every few days while your house is on the market. Keeping on top of these chores prevent your landscape from getting out of control.

Curb Appeal Ideas: The Home’s Exterior

A thorough paint job can make your house look shiny and new. Use neutral colors to appeal to a wide range of buyers, and make sure the doors and shutters match. Use a pressure washer (or hire a professional) to clean the siding of the house. If needed, replace the mailbox, house numbers and porch light. Set out a brand-new welcome mat to invite guests into your home. Finally, put your cars in the garage so they don’t detract from your curb appeal.