When selling a home the first impression is critical. Many home buyers eliminate homes quickly if the initial visual impression is not impressive. For this reason, it is important to enhance the curb appeal of your home prior to listing it for sale. Keep in mind that potential buyers will see your home differently than you do. If it has an unappealing or unorganized visage, that will reflect poorly on the rest of the home. It really does not matter how beautiful and warm the interior of the home is, if the outside is not enough to draw the buyers in for a closer look. So how do you go about improving the curb appeal of your home?

To start, take a quick walk down the street and have a good look at the exterior of your home. What catches your eye? Try to put yourself in the place of a prospective buyer seeing your home for the first time. This is a great chance to pick out any negative aspects of your property and correct them. Make a quick list of the things that stand out, positive and negative and prioritize the necessary improvements.

In thinking about curb appeal, why not start at the curb itself? How does the driveway look? If it is weathered and gray, it might be a good idea to re-pave with an asphalt sealer. This gives the front of the home a new and attractive entrance. Remember, this is likely the first thing that prospective buyers will see so it’s important to make your entranceway as attractive as possible. When revamping the facade of the yard remember to trim up all the edges on the lawn and the shrubbery. This creates a great impression of care and attention and will impress buyers. An attractive yard alone can turn a casual shopper into an interested buyer.

Gardens and planting areas can be one of the most attractive features of a home and should not be overlooked. It is not difficult to create beautiful gardens with just a little bit of time and expense. Mulch is an attractive way to spruce up any garden. Not only does it help to control weeds, making it easier to maintain, but it creates a desirable contrast when using a combination of light and dark mulches. Take note that color can be an inviting element to your homes facade so try to coordinate the colors appropriately.

Now that your yard is in order, let's consider the home itself. A new coat of paint will always give a home a greater appeal. You may wish to tailor the colors of your home to your own ideals, but remember that not everyone has the same taste, and what you think is "individual," others may see as undesirable. When selling a home it is good to make your home stand out, but still remain within the essence and theme of the neighborhood. This is a fantastic opportunity to take care of any little cosmetic issues that are outstanding. Get rid of any mold or discoloration around the eaves and doorways; don't simply paint over these imperfections. Take some time and correct anything that you might find. A good inspector will pick up on "cosmetic cures" and it is well worth the time and effort to correct these minor problems, you will reap the rewards at closing.

One thing that always brings great value to a home sale is a new roof. If your roof is relatively new, clean it up and clear the gutters. A new roof with a warranty is one of the strongest selling tools a person has when marketing their home. The longer the warranty is the better. Another great visual element of your home is the fences that separate your yard from neighboring lots. If the fences are run down and rickety it will reflect poorly on your home. The nice thing about fixing the fence is that it is not a cost that you must bear alone. This will also improve the appeal of the neighboring yard so the cost can be shared.

With all of these elements considered, your yard and home should be in pretty good shape. Now is the perfect time to have the listing photos taken. Remember, you deserve to get the most out of the sale of your home, don't sell yourself short. A little effort into the curb appeal will do wonders for both the asking price and your bargaining position.

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Eric Bramlett is a professional Austin realtor specializing in homes and condos for sale in Texas.