Try this. Go out into your street and look — I mean really look — at your home, and see if you can spot any imperfections. Is it appealing, pristine, and well-kept, or are there necessary repairs that you have been putting off? How does your house look compared to the others in the street? Would you still purchase your house if you were in the market? After you’ve lived in a home for a long while, you’re not likely to examine it objectively. Listen to suggestions from your friends and neighbors and talk to real estate experts, about how you can make your house show better. Then, take a drive around your neighborhood and surrounding area and see which homes for sale appeal to you and note why. The outside appearance of a property needs to be an invitation to come inside. Potential homebuyers are drawn to welcoming entries and uncluttered yards. They are unlikely to be attracted to a home with dead shrubbery and a weather-worn exterior. It is no stretch to think a buyer will believe the home is neglected on the inside as well. Look at your home as a prospect would. Drive up to the curb and take inventory of everything that needs attention. Low-cost investments like power washing the house and concrete, repainting trim, and adding landscaping give your house more curb appeal. Simple improvements like weeding, trimming, and window washing can improve the appearance of a home with little to no expense. Repairs and repainting are costlier, but the payoff is often reflected in the sale price. The goal here is to get more money for your home. Homebuyers generally aren’t interested in a home that needs work, unless they get it below market value. Look around your yard, and make a written list of everything that could be improved: Shrubs trimmed, flower gardens tended, walkways tidy, and beds weeded No trash, trash cans, lawn clippings, branches, or general mess in the yard
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