EXTERIOR Your property’s landscape is not limited to the lawn and shrubs but encompasses everything from the street to your doorstep. For this reason, you must make sure each component of the visual landscape looks its best. The real estate industry refers to this as “curb appeal.”

 STREET: Make sure the street in front of your house is free of litter and debris. If necessary, give it a fresh sweep. If perchance you have a fire hydrant in front of your house, you should still be concerned about how it looks. If it needs freshing up, get permission from your town and paint it. Sweep your sidewalk if needed and remove weeds that may be growing between cracks.

FENCE: A freshly painted fence gives a home a crisp look. You should never let a peeling, tired looking fence or squeaky gate stand between a prospective buyer and a positive first impression.

MAILBOX/LIGHT FIXTURES: A quick painting of an old mailbox will let the buyer know you care about the details. If outdoor lamps look rusted and worn out, new ones will cast a positive light on your property.

 LANDSCAPING: Neatly trimmed shrubs are essential. Taking the time to do this cost little, but has a big impact. Besides being freshly mowed and trimmed, a lawn should look healthy. If there are spots that look beyond help, a little sod goes a long way to restoring the look of a well maintained lawn.

 FRONT WALKWAY: The walkway should be clean and free of weeds. If sections are badly cracked, consider having them repaired. DRIVEWAY: There are two elements of the driveway with which you should be concerned. The first is its surface condition. If stained or otherwise worn-looking, consider resealing it with a high quality sealer product. Second, is the appearance of the car parked in the driveway. A newly waxed, well-maintained automobile will make a positive statement about you and your property. If you think your car will be a detriment to the look of your property, park it down the street. PAINT: A fresh coat of paint can be one of the best investments you can make to increase the value of your property. If you do not want to spend the money to paint the entire house, consider just the shutters of the front of the house. WINDOWS: Replace any cracked of brokern glass. Make sure windows are sparkling clean.

ROOFS: A well maintained roof will say a lot about the overall condition of your property. Replace any broken of missing shingles or tiles. Repair flashing where needed. Paint eves and facia boards.

GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS: Neat and trim-looking gutters and downspouts make a house look ship shape. Consider replacing highly visible ones if they are in need of serious repair. If run off areas are eroded, you can install concrete (or other) spillways.

DOORWAYS: The front door is the focal point of your house. If needed, repaint the door. Apply new door hardware. Replace house numbers. Install a new front light fixture.