About that curb appeal....

Thinking of putting your house on the market? Have you considered how others see it for the first time? You should - curb appeal can make or break a potential buyer's decision to view a particular property.

To insure that you see your house the way others see it, take the Curb Appeal Test. Walk across the street, then look objectively at what your home looks like from that vantage point. Then ask yourself a few questions:
1. Are the gutters clean and in good repair?
2. How does the driveway look?
3. Do the shrubs need pruning, or the trees need trimming?
4. How do the flower beds look?
5. How inviting is the walkway leading to your house?
6. Does the lawn look clean, neat and trimmed?
7. Is the lawn uncluttered, or are there toys, hoses and tools lying about?
8. How visible are the house numbers? Can Buyers even FIND your house?

Here are some ways to improve the Curb Appeal:
1. Clean the outside - pressure wash, if necessary - including shutters
2. Clean the gutters
3. Remove and replace dead plants; add fresh mulch
4. Prune overgrown shrubs
5. Update your house numbers with more stylish ones
6. Mailbox looking shabby? Paint it!
7. Replace dated exterior light fixtures with new ones
8. Put away garden tools, hoses, toys, etc.
9. Create an outdoor living room for Buyers with porch furniture
10. Add color to your beds. Red makes things pop and says "Welcome!"