“Curb appeal” is something everyone who owns real estate knows of; it simply means how nice the house and yard look from the street. When someone’s selling a house, curb appeal is essential.

 

One way to get curb appeal is to plant flowers in the yard. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, especially if the work is done by the owner. Choose perennials so they don’t have to be replanted and choose plants that have low maintenance and long blooming time for the amount of sun the yard gets.

 

People often rally the aid of friends and family to help with yard work or painting, which always helps for curb appeal. It can be surprising how much a fresh coat of paint or a pressure washing helps the look of a home. Choose a color that’s not stark in comparison to those around it.

 

Don’t Forget the Concrete

 

The driveway, sidewalks and any cement paths can be pressure washed for a very clean look. Go over them first with water and Dawn or Cascade dishwashing soap and a broom until an oil stain is gone, then pressure wash again.

 

Is there moss or leaves on the roof and in the gutters? Moss will cause dry rot, gutters stuffed with leaves and needles will clog the works and then water will spill over the sides.  This makes for holes and puddles in the yard near the house; plus, full gutters draw heat away from the house, so it makes good sense to keep them cleaned out.

 

Spruce the place up as much as possible and it’ll sell faster.