HOW TO GET THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME LOOKING ITS BEST

Are you considering putting your house up for sale after the New Year, but not sure where to start? Maybe you're afraid it will take too long to sell, or that you won't get the price you want? One way to make sure that doesn't happen is by giving the outside of your house a good makeover, and set the scene for buyers to fall in love with your home. Here are 3 tips to help you stage the outside of your home for the spring and summer market.

1. Foundation and Siding - Take a look at your home's foundation. Is the paint worn, cracked, and chipped? It might be time to repaint it and get it looking new again. Also inspect your drivieway and your home's siding. Don't worry - If you've taken care of your home you probably won't have to replace it, but a good powerwash can go a long way. Remember that when buyers see things like peeling paint or chipped siding they are going to think the house has not been well taken care of. Don't let them have that first impression!

2. Landscaping- Step outside your front door and look around your front yard for 2 minutes. What you are seeing is what potential buyers will see. Dead plants, old Christmas decorations in the middle of March? Again, it's all about making a good first impression. What you want to do is first remove all weeds, dead plants, and old lawn ornaments. Then cut the grass and throw down some fresh grass seed, watering it for a few days. Lastly, get a few plants and mulch from the local nursery and spruce up the front and sides of the house. Buy 2 of the same plant so you can create a nice symetrical design along the front.

3. Don't forget the backyard - While that might not be part of the potential buyers first impression experience, you should still make sure it's in the best condition possible. Make no mistake, backyards are a big deal to a lot of buyers. Pull up weeds, water plants, do some sweeping, and throw out any old raggedy furniture. Oh, and please - If you have a dog that normally uses the backyard for a bathroom, make sure you clean it up so buyers don't step in anything gross!

Imagine yourself as a potential buyer looking at your property for the very first time. What impressions are you getting? Would YOU buy your house? What would you like to see changed before you put an offer on your house?

Don't worry about spending a few thousand dollars to get your house ready to sell, because if you do it right you'll get it all back at the closing table. And if you're handy, you can save tons of money by doing it yourself. But keep in mind that if the property needs too much work, or has major issues like damaged plumbing, electrical, or structural, you may be better off selling "as-is" to a cash buyer. Sometimes the extra work is not worth the money in the end.