Curb appeal is very important when it comes to selling your home. It’s the first thing people see when they arrive and the last thing they see when they leave. Doing some or all of the following tasks will give your home that extra vigour and may even add some value to your property.

Here are some great tips on how to properly stage the exterior of your home:

• The first step is to make sure your grass is looking healthy and inviting. Put some fertilizer on the discolored patches and spread seeds over any bare spots. Make sure it is nicely trimmed and any weeds are pulled thoroughly out. Clear any debris, leaves or branches away so your lawn looks fresh and clean.

• When it comes to trees or hedges, make sure they are well trimmed and fit well with the rest of your yard. If there are any dead or wilting plants, just get rid of them as they can decrease the attractiveness of your whole yard.

• Nobody likes to walk up to a dark house. Check the lighting on the walkway and on the porch. If the fixtures are outdated, make a small investment to upgrade them and bring more appeal to the well lit area.

• Any wood features on your home, such as fencing, decks, porches, or railings, may need to be spruced up. The best way to do this is to pressure wash the wood, let it dry, smooth out any rough patches, and then seal it with some stain or paint. If there is any mold or mildew contaminating the wood, it is very important to attend to it quickly with bleach. If the wood is too far gone with rot, it will need to be replaced and the integrity of the structure should be checked thoroughly as it could become a hazard and may end up costing thousands. It could even cause a lawsuit!

• While you have the pressure washer handy, spray the sides of your house down, all of the walk ways, your garage, and any other structures on your property.

• A driveway is a large investment and can be huge deciding factor for home buyers. It may just need a good cleaning and some weeds taken care of between the cracks.There are also simple and inexpensive crack repair products that you can pick up at your local hardware store.

• If you have any flower beds or a garden make sure they are nicely maintained and clear any debris out so they look healthy.

​

• You may love your lawn ornaments, and that’s great, but potential home buyers may not share your good taste. Make sure that your property is depersonalized. Hide your gnomes, any kids’ toys, and wind chimes away as they can be distracting and unappealing.

• Pick up and clean everything. Old garbage and dead decaying plants will always turn people away.

After following these steps, ask us about any extra tips they may have to keep your property homebuyer ready. Good luck!