Curb Appeal & Exterior Staging

There are many ways for a prospective buyer to make the decision to view your home. They may see an ad in the paper or a real estate magazine, look at a board hanging in an office window, or see a listing on the Internet. If they like what they see and read, then perhaps they drive by your place—and that's where curb appeal comes in. You'll never get them inside to see the rest of what your home has to offer if they're turned off by what they see of your property from the curb.

Here are five cost-effective areas to take a closer look at and to invest a little time and money in to boost your property's curb appeal and overall exterior appearance. These items won't break the bank, and have a reasonable return on investment—sometimes from 100- 200%. They add more value to your home, and therefore to its final selling price.

Front Lawn

It's simple: keep it looking neat and well-tended.

• If the lawn is in more desperate shape, consider re-sodding it. The cost may vary with a 100-200% likely return on investment, this is a wise choice.

• In the fall, be sure to rake leaves from your lawn and flower beds on a regular basis.

Front Entry

Your goal: make the entrance to your home a welcoming experience.

• Re-paint the front door in a colour that accents your house as a whole. Add colourful pots of flowers around the entryway.

• If you have an expansive front porch, consider adding some tasteful patio furniture such as a small table and a couple of chairs.

• Clean and remove cobwebs from the light fixtures, and make sure that they are all in working order. Update the fixtures if they are out-of-date; change them to match the rest of the entryway hardware if you've changed the overall entryway decor.

• Make sure all windows are sparkling clean.

• Clean out the eaves-troughs.

Gardens

Home buyers are looking for a well-maintained property, and one that doesn't overwhelm them with the prospect of over-the-top labour and annual costs to maintain over the long term.

• Trim trees, shrubs, hedges and bushes. Ensure that they're not blocking windows.

• If you add new trees and shrubs, buy larger, more mature ones to give a well-established, finished look.

• Weed your gardens on a regular basis. Use mulch; it's inexpensive, keeps the weeds down and looks great! Bark mulch is readily available at local garden stores.

• Remove and replace damaged or dead plants and flowers. Check your flower beds for weeds daily while your house is on the market.

Driveway

At most homes, the driveway is one of the largest features of a front yard.

• Re-seal a paved driveway.

• Consider paving your driveway if it's currently gravel. Other options include interlocking brick or stamped concrete. Depending on your choice of surfacing material, the cost may vary but with a likely return on investment of 50-75%, upgrading the driveway is well worth it,

• Power wash all paved areas and fix or resurface badly damaged areas,

Deck

A good-looking and well-maintained deck is a definite asset that appeals to homebuyers for more challenging issues.

• Refresh the stain or paint and/or power wash the deck.

• Keep your patio furniture clean. If your furniture is showing its age, consider purchasing a new set. It will spruce up the overall ambience of the outdoor living space—plus it's an investment that you can take with you to your new home!

• Make sure that any associated lighting, electrical outlets and gas fixtures are in working order.