by Kari Nichols

Created on: July 07, 2009   Last Updated: August 22, 2010

The competition for selling your home in Florida is fierce. Many folks with Florida vacation homes on the market increase the number of available properties, as well as competition from time shares. With so many properties on the market in Florida, every small advantage is needed. Florida homes are practically required to have tropical landscaping. Happily, most tropical plants are quite resilient and easy to work with. That makes optimizing curb appeal a little easier. Don't let a potential buyer drive by and cross you off his list.

Phase one to giving your home more curb appeal is to give your yard a tight manicure. Clean mowing is essential, taking time to neatly edge around walks and drive, and make clean lines around planting areas. Herbicides can be used to maintain the neat appearance. Patio areas should be sprayed for weeds and insects.

While mature plantings are desirable, overgrown ones will detract from the overall appearance. Check to be sure that none overwhelm the house or the yard, and that they're proportionate in their use. Trim shrubs sparingly if they are preparing to bloom; after they bloom is the best time to prune. Citrus trees should be pruned to lighten them up, even in fruit. Fewer fruit will let the tree pour more energy into the remaining ones, making them seem even bigger on openly pruned branches. Keep the area underneath the trees cleaned of downed fruit to keep things neat as well as avoiding rotting fruit smell and the rodents that are attracted to them.

Waterfront areas need special attention, too. These are of particular interest to most Florida home buyers, who are buying the dream of waterfront living and fun in the sun. All waterfront and dock areas should be very clean, and all landscaping Disney pretty. You want to frame that water view. If you're on a freshwater canal, banana trees are easy and unmistakable, and grow quickly into clumps with annual new shoots. Sea Grapes and Sea Oats are salt tolerant and popular, giving that readily identifiable tropical look.

Insect spraying, interior and exterior, is essential to maintain. Don't forget the plants that have yearly problems with caterpillars, and treat accordingly, to maintain a beautiful and clean plant. Trim palm trees high and tight, and for the smaller varieties, use Boric Acid to keep 'palmetto bugs' down.

Concrete and stone areas should be cleaned, preferably pressure washed, as well as decking, porches and patios. Consider applying a protective stain if the wood is unbecoming to the house. Railing is smooth to the touch, and there is effective lighting in place for safety. Fencing should be in good repair, tight, and all gates close and open easily. Clean all exterior and landscape light fixtures and be sure all work.

Obviously, the house itself needs to look as fresh and neat as possible. As long as the house paint or finish is smooth and a fairly neutral, just be sure it is clean with no mildew or webs. Check the trim carefully; if it's peeling, or a color that doesn't work so well with the house color, it is the simpler of the two to change. The trim should be spotless, whether new paint or existing. House numbers should be easily visible from the street, either on the house or a driveway marker. And lastly - freshen up your mailbox. This is usually the closest to the road, and closest to the drive-buy shoppers eye. Repair or paint as needed, with clear numbers on both sides of the box. A planting at the base is optional, but be sure weeds are trimmed away. Now your house can be easily found, and is hopefully memorable for all the right reasons.

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