Exterior Preparation...

Increase Your Home's Curbside Appeal

Your Home's Exterior

Your home's exterior is the first thing a potential buyer sees when visiting your home. The following tips will help you increase your home's curbside appeal and create a strong first impression to potential home buyers.

Fence

• Replace missing slats, stakes and posts.

• Repair broken hinges and paint or stain the fence if necessary.

Yard

• Mow, trim and fertilize the lawn.

• Weed flower beds and replace dead plants and trees.

Driveway, Garage, Carport

• Clean up grease or oil spots on concrete surfaces.

• Make sure the garage door opens freely and the automatic door opener is working.

• Provide an unobstructed view of your home from the street by not parking cars, boats or other vehicles in the driveway.

Front Entry

• Polish door handles and door knockers.

• Replace worn or broken items, such as an unsightly mailbox or rusty doorbell.

• Be sure porch lights are working and add welcoming features such as a new door mat and flowering plants.

Siding and Trim

• Consider painting the highlight features of your home, such as trim work, shutters, drain spouts and railings

• If necessary, add a fresh coat of exterior paint to the exterior siding.

Roof

• Remove debris such as tree branches and leaves.

• Straighten the TV antenna.

• Make any necessary repairs to worn shingles or cracked surfaces.

Patio, Deck

• Flowering plants and outdoor furniture add appeal.

• Remove any unnecessary items such as gardening equipment.

• Tidy any visible items, such as an outdoor grill or barbecue.