Curb appeal. It’s all about how your home looks to people walking or driving by. But there is no more important audience to attract than potential buyers, who are highly influenced by their first glimpse. If you’re selling, you can boost that first impression by making sure your home looks great before it hits the market. Here are some tips and techniques that can positively affect your home’s curb appeal and perhaps even its value.

Cleanup and Repair – Tackle some basic maintenance and repairs before moving onto larger projects. Clean windows and siding, stow away yard tools and equipment, and clean up dead branches and leaves. Make sure fences, walkways, and the driveway are in good repair, too – a home that looks well taken care of is always more attractive to buyers.

Landscaping – A full landscape overhaul may not be warranted, but the yard, especially in front, should look neat and well maintained. Trim any overgrown shrubs, remove weeds, and tidy up planting areas. A fresh layer of mulch is an inexpensive way to make planting areas look well maintained. If the season is right, add some colorful flowering plants to brighten up around walkways and at the front entrance. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to create an instant welcoming feeling.

The Entrance – The front door is another key element of that all-important first impression. If replacement is cost prohibitive, consider revitalizing a tired, faded door with a fresh coat of paint in a great accent color and swapping out the hardware. Updated house numbers that reflect the style of the home are another impactful but inexpensive addition.

Paint It New – Brighten up the exterior with a new paint job. It’s always best to go with neutral colors that have widespread appeal so that potential buyers won’t be put off by polarizing colors or combinations. Painting the exterior is a significant improvement that can even add to the home’s value. If the existing paint is already in good shape, have the exterior pressure-washed to get rid of accumulated dirt and grime. Have the windows washed inside and out to brighten the overall appearance of the home and to maximize incoming light.

There’s nothing worse than home “lookers” who drive by – and keep right on going because they’ve already decided a home doesn’t appeal to them based on looks alone. With these tips in mind, chances are your home will catch the eye of more potential buyers.