Historically, spring is the ideal time to try to sell your property. The snow is melting off the ground and the flowers are beginning to bloom. This season change brings out a significant number of buyers who are actively trying to find a new home. So, when you are ready to sell your house, do not underestimate how important it is to improve your home’s curb appeal.

Prospective buyers form their initial impression of a property from the home’s curb appeal. When you have well-maintained landscaping and an overall attractive exterior, it can boost the value of your property. If at all possible, you should leave yourself about two to three weeks of prep time prior to showing your house. This should be sufficient time to properly stage the exterior of the property and ensure it looks just right before prospective buyers come by.

Begin with the Landscape

Declutter the Yard

You will want to remove any yard items that may potentially distract buyers from the exterior of your home. Items in the yard that may be considered clutter include lawn art, chairs, benches, and toys. Items like these are likely to move to your next home with you anyway, so simply place them in storage and allow the natural elements of the yard to take over.

Add/Replace Mulch

By adding a fresh layer of mulch, you can bring your dull exterior back to life so that it looks new and clean. Add a new layer in your garden beds, around shrubs, and around trees. Mulch is relatively inexpensive and easy to apply. It also comes in an assortment of colors, giving it the ability to improve the contrast of the surrounding plants and make the plants stand out more.

Tend to the Plant and Flower Beds

If you have some flowers and plants that don’t look as visually appealing as they could, take the time to spruce them up a bit. If you have some that are “gone,” it may be time to remove them. Replace them with new ones or decorative pots. This is also a great time to weed and trim and shape tree and plant foliage to create a clean-cut appearance. If there are plants you intend to move with you to the new place, inform the buyer of such.

Add a Pop of Color

If you want to make your landscape pop, the best thing you can do is to add some seasonal color to it. You can buy flats of annuals for an affordable price, so you should opt for several different splashes of colors. Alternatively, you could use a bit more of a monochromatic scheme. Ideally, you should consider the appearance of your home and which scheme would best suit it as well as your own individual preference.

Tidy Up the Water Features

After your water features have sat through the winter, you should remove any signs of algae, dirt, and leaves to ensure that the water is clear. Water features that aren’t eye-appealing or are not properly working will be a turn off to the majority of buyers.

Grab the Power-washer

If you do not currently own a power-washer, you should either purchase or rent one so that you can thoroughly clean your paved surfaced. With minimal effort, you can turn your grungy surfaces into surfaces that look brand-new. Power-washers are great for cleaning brick and vinyl siding as well as fences.

Install Outdoor Lighting

You should focus on highlighting current features in the yard. If it is too expensive to wire fixtures into the outdoor areas, you should consider investing in solar options. You could also think about single non-permanent outdoor lighting options that are convenient and available in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Next, Move onto the House

Inspect the Outside Walls

To ensure that a solid first impression is made with prospective buyers, clean exterior trim and walls. If there are some areas that are beginning to look particularly old and worn, use the power-washer to clean them.

Add Some Seasonal Touch-ups

Take the time to touch up the paint on the accent trim, shutters, and walls. Believe it or not, accent trim and shutters can do a lot for your overall curb appeal because they highlight fascinating features of the home. If you have the time and budget to do so, you may want to think about switching up the accent and trim colors for a brand-new look.

Replace Exterior Hardware

Whether it is gutters and downspouts that have rusted or an old railing on the front steps that looks like it is about to fall apart, you can replace them and give your house a fresh look with quick visit to the local hardware store. A new door handle and/or door knocker can breathe new life to your front door and porch. You may also want to add stylish new address numbers for a new accent that helps define your home.

Update Your Mailbox

Mailboxes create the perfect opportunity for an easy transformation. Whether it is a new coat of paint on an existing mailbox or a brand-new mailbox entirely, updating your mailbox will help add to the exterior look overall. To ensure that your mailbox really stands out, add some beautiful plants around it.

Clean Your Windows

Even if the rest of your home looks completely clean and fresh, if you have windows that are cracked or dirty, we promise it will drag down the rest of the home’s appearance. Aside from cleaning the windows and replacing the window panes, you should clean every single section of the frame. If you notice any paint peeling, take the time to prep and touch up the paint.

Dress Up the Front Door

Your doorway sets the tone for the rest of the home, so it is important that the doorway is clean and attractive. It needs to be as visually appealing as possibly. You may want to consider adding a simple wreath, which can call attention to the door and its design. Make sure to add some potted plants to the entryway and get rid of your old welcome mat and replace it with a spiffy new one. If possible, you may even want to consider replacing your existing door with a new door. However, if this is not possible, consider simply repainting the front door and adding some new hardware, which can go a long way.

Keep in mind that homebuyers have gone through the winter and are ready to see what’s out there on the market. The time, money, and effort that you invest into preparing your home for the market will increase your home’s value and make it stand out in what is likely to be a very competitive market.