Last month we reviewed the importance of curb appeal and offered some ideas for home exterior projects that improve your home’s value. This month we offer some do-it-yourself projects that give your home the polish that will ensure the best first impression for buyers. Remember to try and see your property from the perspective of a potential buyer Ask yourself the following questions to help evaluate your curb appeal and prioritize your projects:

• ·         In what condition are the driveway, sidewalk and front walkway?
• ·         If you have lawn, what is the condition? Does the xeriscape have weeks poking through or unhealthy plants or trees?
• ·         Take a look at the front porch and entry door—is it welcoming and attractive?

Driveway, walk and front porch: For concrete drives and walkways, rent or buy a power washer and remove dirt and stains. Kill any weeds popping through cracks and repair hem. Consider a concrete stain to add color. Frame your drive and pathways with brick, flagstone, pavers or rock for added punch.

Lawn or Xeriscape: If you have a front lawn, green it up—we all love a lush lawn. If it is plagued with brown spots from pets, try a product like Rascal Spots (www.rascalspots.com) guaranteed to fix brown spots caused by pet urine. If your front is xeriscaped, make sure all the plants are in great shape and, if needed, plant some flowering perennials appropriate for your area to add color and softness. If you don’t have a drip/sprinkler system, consider adding one. Check out the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority website for rebates for outdoor water use improvements like a sprinkler/drip system or for converting from lawn to xeriscape at www.abcwua.org.

Trees and Shrubbery: Prune trees and shrubbery away from the roof line, windows and pathways. An overgrown landscape is just as unappealing as a sparse or dead one. Trees should be pruned for health as well as safety. Tree limbs that rub the side of the house, roof or chimney can cause extensive damage. Over grown shrubs that obstruct paths and windows are unsightly and block natural light. If you have the kind of evergreen shrubbery that does not groom well, consider removing it rather than having over trimmed shrubs that show an unsightly tangle of brown twigs.

Curbside Mailbox: Give it an update or makeover and ensure that it matches with the overall look of your home.

Finishing Touches:

Container Gardens: Accent pathways, front porch and windows with a blooming portable garden. Choose coordinating pottery, urns, window boxes or non-traditional items for containers—aluminum buckets, wire trash cans or baskets lined with moss and filled with soil, even wooden crates. Give older pots a facelift with a can of spray paint—consider a stone or metallic finish. Use a variety of plant heights, bloom colors and foliage color and textures in the same container to create visually interesting and lush arrangements. Arrange your plants as you would a vase of flowers—something tall in the center, medium height flowering or variegated leafed plans next and something to cascade over the sides. Line a pathway, flank the entry door or accent a water feature to create a beautiful and welcoming feel to your home.

Accent Lighting: Serious buyers often drive though a potential neighborhood at night. Make sure your home looks a great at night with lighting that accents your walk path, house number and key landscape features. Think beauty and security. Keep your porch light on until you go to bed as long as your home is on the market.

Water Features: A specially placed water feature can add that extra touch to capture attention. It does not have to be elaborate, but a fountain or bubbler can mask traffic noise or other noises and create ambiance for your outdoor spaces. A self standing water feature can be surrounded by your container garden and become a focal point for the porch, deck or yard.

If you aren’t sure what projects you should tackle, contact your real estate professional for the best advice on how to spend your time and money. The bottom line is that the outside needs to be as clean and fresh and welcoming as the inside of your home in order to attract buyers and get the best price for your home.