Curb appeal is like a first impression on a blind date. Good or bad, it is a lasting impression. No matter how magnificent your home looks on the inside, most buyers have already made judgements about your house before they even step foot out of their car.

Curb appeal isn’t just about yard work! You might need a little bit of a green thumb, but there’s a lot more to it! It’s more about the front of your home looking clean and maintained than being the perfect gardener.

Start with considering painting your front door. It’s not only cheap, but it’s also rather easy to do and will have a big impact as potential buyers walk up to your home. Change out the light fixture on the front porch. Newer fixtures can give the impression that the home is much newer than it really is. Also take a look at the mailbox and door hardware. Updating those or a fresh coat of paint can go a long way.

Step back and take a look at the house itself. Make sure there isn’t any peeling paint, missing or broken shingles, cracked windows or torn window screens. Oh, and give those windows a quick cleaning on the outside too. We want them to shine when the light hits them!

Now let’s take a look at those driveways and sidewalks. It’s simple, sweep and power wash!

We’re just now getting to the true yard work! Make sure bushes are trimmed neatly and not touching the house. Rake leaves and clean out flower beds. Adding fresh mulch is an inexpensive way to refresh a flower bed! Tree branches near or touching the roofline could cause damage to the roof and can be written up on an inspection report, so it’s better to trim them back now.

Last but not least clean out the clutter! Everything from that junk that has sat on the side of the house for ever to the extra cars and boat in the driveway. Don’t give a buyer any excuse to pass on your home or negotiate a lower price.

If you just aren’t sure what to do a good Realtor is an excellent source of advice about getting your house ready to sell. They can see your house with fresh eyes, and spot things that a potential buyer would see.