by Francis Jock

Created on: November 13, 2008   Last Updated: May 03, 2012

One important aspect of marketing a home for sale is something commonly referred to a home's curb appeal. Curb appeal refers to the emotional attractiveness of a home when it is first seen by a potential home buyer. Curb appeal could be regarded as a sort of sex appeal, but it is much more than that. The curb appeal, or first impression of a home, is one important factor that can actually make or break a sale. Therefore, it is crucial for home sellers to pay attention to the outward appearance of their home, including the landscaping, the yard and the garden in the back yard if a quick and easy sale is the goal.

In a sense, curb appeal can be viewed as a home's "bling", although this might be overstating it a bit. It is not necessarily a collection of bright and shiny things that attract the youthful mind, but is more of an expression of the homeowner's values and personality. A modern and well-appointed home, even with the latest innovation and updates can be less attractive if the front yard and driveway are less than appealing when viewed from the street. A less than modern home, on the other hand can be quite appealing if there is a sense of value and pride in the appearance of the flower beds, the hedges, the garden and its outward appearance: roof, siding, windows and doorways.

When taken as a whole a home's exterior and its surroundings completes the home's curb appeal. Obviously, it is very important to the seller to get it right in order to attract as many potential buyers as possible.

Here are some common-sense ideas to look after when considering how to improve your home's curb appeal.

Lawns: A well-groomed lawn would be free of brown spots and bares spots. Brown spots are a sign of disease or pet urine. Pet fecal matter should not exist anywhere on the lawn, front or back. Lawns should be clutter free. Water hoses, toys, and recreational accessories should be put away. Lawns should also be carefully scrutinized for signs of insect colonies or nests. These should be taken care of by a professional and the lawn should be restored to a healthy condition.

Driveway: Driveways should not have cracks, oil stains, discoloration, or depressions. Depressions are a sign of weakness in the driveway's foundation and should be repaired, not patched. Driveways should be clutter free, as well. Sports equipment should be picked up and put away anytime the home is being shown to prospective buyers.

Gardens: Flower gardens, shrubs, decorative plants and the vegetable

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>