“Curb appeal” is the first impression that people get of your house when they stop in front of it. High curb appeal can entice people into your house and will create similarly high expectations of its interior appeal. Low curb appeal can result in their deciding to just move on to the next house on their drive-by list.

Some Sellers find it helpful to take a photo of the front of their house and enlarge it to at least 8” X 10”. Study it carefully and ask other family members to do so as well. What are the likely first impressions it creates. Plain, bland, tired, perky, handsome, etc. may come to mind. Write them down and study them until you can settle on a minimum of three adjectives that capture the likely first impressions. Then you should focus on what would most likely improve its appearance and elicit more favourable first impressions.

First, you should address the basics. Does it appear to need repainting? If so, visit your local home centre or building products store and examine the wide variety of exterior colours available these days. Seek the advice of the paint department manager. Ask for the location of homes with some of the exciting new colours/combinations that you think might be just what your house needs, and be sure to visit them and take a few photos for later study. Above all, we recommend that you avoid white as the basic colour; it’s far too common, boring, and suggests that you have little or no imagination.

Next, check the front doors. Do they add or detract from the house appearance? Aluminum storm doors and windows should be removed altogether. (They date your house exterior to the 1950s and 1960s.) Be sure to shop for energy efficient replacement doors and windows – Buyers are going “green” these days.

How about shutters – there are lots of attractive new products at your building centre. Awnings? Half rounds above the front entrance and simple tent style awnings for the windows can spruce up an exterior in a hurry. Landscaping is next on the list. Concentrate on trees and shrubs – they’re visible all year; flowers are not. If foundation shrubbery is overgrown, some judicious pruning is called for. How is the walkway to the front door? Check out interlocking brick pavers (also at your building centre) for a weekend project that will display your good taste. Is there an asphalt driveway? If it has wheel ruts or is badly cracked, get a quote from a paving contractor to have it repaired (if possible) or replaced. Otherwise, put a coat of shiny black sealer on it. If it’s in really bad shape, consider removing it and replacing it with crushed stone.

Consider a new brass mailbox, along with matching door hardware and civic numbers to add a final bit of polish. Finally, check your roof for missing or cracked shingles, and other signs that it’s nearing the end of its useful life. If it needs replacement, you might as well have it done now. A good house inspector will spot it right away and you might end up having to pay for its replacement in any case. A new roof could well help make your house look well cared for. Many Buyers like to see a list of annoying repairs/upgrades that have been completed by the Seller. They mostly prefer the idea of a house being in move-in condition, without their having to get busy themselves in their spare time.