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First impressions are the most lasting. What a potential buyer thinks of your home from the moment he first lays eyes on it will have a profound effect on its price and salability. If the property does not look well-maintained, beautifully landscaped, and generally inviting at first glance, chances are that buyers won’t even bother walking up to it. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to boost your curb appeal. These home improvements will not only raise the resale value of your property by a few thousand dollars, but will also make your home a better place to live. Clean the exterior Before doing anything else, clean the walls, windows, doors, walkways, and other external features of your home. Don’t underestimate the power of a long-handled brush and bucket of soapy water. With a little elbow grease and some simple cleaning techniques, you can easily make your home look as good as new – provided, of course, that you don’t need any major hardware repairs or replacements. If you don’t really have the time and energy to invest in cleaning, you could also use a power washer to speed things up or, better yet, hire a professional to do the cleaning for you. Look after the yard Mow your lawn, prune your trees, and remove any unsightly bushes. We guarantee that you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much of a difference regular yard maintenance can make. You can even go the extra mile and start a small garden. Plants can really spruce up your lawn, so we suggest that you try to grow flower beds, decorate your porch with potted plants, or get a few hanging baskets and window boxes. Just be careful not to go overboard. Remember that you want to start a garden, not a rainforest! Paint and polish Applying a fresh coat of paint on the windows, shutters, walls, and front door is a relatively inexpensive yet effective way to polish the look of your home. At the moment, you’ll only need to spend around $25 per gallon of paint, which sums up to around $400 to $600 for a 3,000 sq. ft. home. Upgrade your hardware Ditch your boring front door and get something with a little more oomph! Statement doors went in style a few years back and are still a lasting trend. Other less expensive options include replacing your house numbers, getting a new mailbox, and installing better light fixtures. Little changes can go a long way, especially for a house that already looks pleasing to potential buyers. http://texashomeandgarden.com/idea-center/curb-appeal-budget/ http://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/landscaping-and-hardscaping/10-curb-appeal-tips-from-the-pros-pictures http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/home-improvement/adding-curb-appeal-value-to-home/