Curb Appeal is Critical...

You never get a second chance to make a first impression.  Alluring or ho-hum: how's your curb appeal?   All the upgrades that homeowners do to the inside of their house won't matter if you can't get buyers inside. When you are ready to sell your home, be sure to pay close attention to the exterior and strive for that wow factor.  You want your home to standout and shine!  The next time you come home, stop across the street or far enough down the driveway to get a good view of the house and it's surroundings.

• What is your first impression of the house and yard area?
• What are the best exterior features of the house or lot?  How can you enhance them?
• What are the worst exterior features of the house or lot?  How can you minimize or improve them?

Park where a potential buyer would and walk towards the house, looking around you as if it were your first visit.  Is the approach clean and tidy?  What could you do to make it more attractive? Take photos of the home's exterior.  If you have a digital camera, view the color versions first, then remove the color and look at it in black and white, because it's easier to see problems when color isn't around to affect our senses.

Make a list of the problem area you discovered.  Tackle, clean up, and repair chores first and then put some time into projects that make the grounds more attractive.

• Kill mold and mildew on the house, sidewalks, driveway
• Stow away unnecessary garden implements and tools
• Pressure wash dirty siding and dingy decks
• Clean windows and gutters
• Edge sidewalks and remove vegetation growing between concrete or bricks
• Mow the lawn.  
• Get rid of all weeds
• Rake and dispose of leaves, even if your lot is wooded
• Trim tree limbs that are near or touching the home's roof

Prospective buyers driving past your property will make snap judgments on whether they want to slow down and see your home, or simply drive away.  If the exterior is poorly maintained, with uncut grass, peeling paint on the windows, a dowdy door, or sinking eaves troughs, they'll assume the inside is just as uncared for.  But if a buyer sees an attractive, appealing facade with a nice-looking lawn to boot, they're going to want to see more...much more.

Beckon buyers up to your front door by painting it in a contrasting colour to the rest of your house.  Dark jewel tones of red, blue or green will add a little drama.  Consider embellishing the door further with an ornate knocker, polished metal kick plate or a sumptuous seasonal wreath.  Replace plain doorknob hardware with something more attractive.

If your light fixtures and house numbers are looking dull, add a fresh coat of paint to make them look new.  Brass accessories should shine or you may want to refinish them.  On a cool, dull day leave lights on...warm lighting creates a cozy ambiance.

Outside your door, planters or urns in resin or cast iron add appeal and interest.  And let's not forget the window boxes.  In the fall, fill them with colourful chrysanthemums that will last through to the first frost.  When signs of winter appear, consider using evergreens or dogwood.

Has your mailbox seen better days?  An imaginative mailbox adds character to your front door, whether it is a whimsical wood box, a sleek satin nickel or a wrought iron creation with the antique look of yesteryear.

If you have pets (especially dogs), clean up any waste and ensure there are no lingering pet odours.  Consider taking Fido for  walk  during all your showings.  Not all prospective buyers are animal lovers, and a dog could intimidate them.  Also, be sure the lawn and landscaping are in pristine condition.  A well tended lawn acts as a powerful "welcome" invitation, because it infers a nicely cared for interior.  Buyers perceive that landscaped space as a direct reflection of a property owners overall care of the home, inside and out.

And then there's winter...and snow...and ice...and more snow...and more ice.  It does mean a little more effort.  You must keep the snow and ice at bay.  If the buyer can't get in easily, the house won't sell.  Just like trimming the lawn in the summer, you want to make the home look like it's been maintained.  Along with keeping paths and driveways clear of snow, you will also want to keep patios and decks shoveled regularly so buyers can see them easily and get a good judge of it's space.  During the winter, it's also more likely that buyers will be viewing your house after sunset, so be sure to light your home well, especially the entrance.

A giant inflatable Santa Claus in the front yard is sure to distract buyers, but subtle wintry decorations can bring out the best in your home. Try a simple wreath on the front door and maybe small white lights strung around shrubbery or accenting some of your house's great architecture.

And last but now least, buy a new Welcome mat.  It's simple but effective.   Our goal is that by the time the prospective buyers have stepped from the impressive outside of your house to the inside, their love affair with your house is well on it's way.

I'm here for YOU.

~Ciao