David G. Brown - HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK IN REAL ESTATE INVESTING

shrubs. • Pull and throw away last year’s annuals, any plants that didn’t survive the winter, and victims of blights. PRUNE Trees add value to your property. But scraggly, overgrown trees become an eyesore. Plus, thick foliage can prevent sun from reaching grass in the yard, creating ugly bald and brown spots. Before you put your property on the market, hire a professional to thin, top, and generally pretty up your trees and shrubs. Take down trees that are clearly dead, a safety precaution as well as a curb appeal strategy.

MAX OUT YOUR MAILB UR MAILBOX

A mailbox may seem like a little thing, but it goes a long way to creating a good first impression. At the very least, make sure your mailbox is newly painted, in good working condition, and sits up straight. For less than $100, you can substitute a plain black box with a more decorative model.

SPOTLIGHT YOUR HOUSE NUMBERS

Make sure your house numbers are polished and clearly visible. The last thing you want is a buyer rolling past your house because the numbers are faded or blocked by tree branches! You can buy decorative house number plates that add a little pizzazz to the outside of your home.

MAKE THE EXTERIOR LOOK LIKE NE K LIKE NEW

There’s nothing more unsightly than dirty, peeling paint on shutters and siding. It screams, “This property’s not taken care of.” Part of your sprucing-up budget should include a fresh coat

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