Before prospective homebuyers enter your home, they've already formed an impression of it. Maybe they've already seen your online photos. Or maybe they're meeting their Realtor in front of your house. 

Clean homes sell

A Realtor told me once that any property will sell if it is "clean and priced right." That's a simplification, but still true. 

When house hunters see a home that shows signs of neglect, they assume there are unseen maintenance problems. So, if they are interested, their offering price will be lower than your asking price. Peeling or faded paint is a sure sign of neglect. Even vinyl siding isn't entirely maintenance-free. Here are some signs that your vinyl siding needs repairs.  

The smaller the home, the more 
important it is to reduce clutter, 
both inside and out. This cottage 
scores an A-plus for tidiness. 

Outdoor clutter is distracting and makes it difficult for buyers to appreciate your home's best qualities. Many MLS photos show receptacles for garbage and recycling sitting in front of the house. Don't be that home-seller. Keep a tidy yard.  

Let "neat" and "clean" be your bywords. Any paved surfaces -- driveway, walkways, steps, and patios -- look so much better when freshly pressure washed. It's not pricey to rent a pressure washer and it's a satisfying job to tackle on a nice day!  

Square footage sells

Most of us can't add real square footage to our homes without spending big bucks. But a patio or deck can be the next best thing. They appear and function as useable "rooms," especially when they are adjacent to the house. A "Flyover"patio like the one pictured above has an elevated roofline that makes your house look larger. 

This house devoted some of some of its
backyard space to a simple patio
of pavers, and staged it to look important.

Decks are an expected amenity in some parts of the US. If you have one, stage it to look like a place to spend time relaxing and entertaining. To start, make sure wooden steps and decks get cleaned. Here's how to wash a deck without damaging it. 

Outside staging can be more colorful than indoor staging. Stage with seats that are comfortable The longer you can get homebuyers to linger at your property, the greater the chances they will make an offer. So, give them some inviting, sit-down spaces! 

Other backyard amenities are an outdoor shower, a little herb garden, or a tabletop fountain. What can work against you at selling time are a hot tub, a play set or sandbox, an enclosed dog run, or any landscaping that looks high maintenance. 

All this deck needed was some seating
and a makeshift table to hold a plant.
Your deck doesn't have to be fancy.  
A firepit is a definite backyard plus. So is a 
 privacy fence and a well-tended landscape. 

Curb appeal sells 

Spruce up your landscape before the photographer gets there. When shrubbery or garden beds are close to the house, the more groomed they should look. Electric hedge trimmers make pruning  them easy. Here are my tips for easy pruning. If you have ornamental grasses or large shrubbery at the edges of your property, they can look a little wilder. 

If there are branches overhanging your house, have them trimmed. Professional tree trimmers know how to do it correctly and safely. And they will haul off the debris.

Good landscaping relies on what is 
appropriate for the locale. Good landscapes
 use plants and materials that are native
to the area, and do not abuse natural
resources like water. Photo: Bob Vila  

If you have flower beds that are bare when you list your home, edge them neatly and refresh the mulch.  If you have photos of your yard in another season, ask your listing agent if they are impressive enough to include in your online listing.

If your front door needs a refresh or an updated color, here's how to you can do it yourself without taking the door off its hinges.  A classy, brand-new front door knob, and a fresh welcome mat make a good initial impression.

If you have a front porch, make it look inviting. If there's room for a chair or two, or a porch swing, all the better. A smart doorbell is a nice perk. Add a colorful wreath to dress up your entrance. Choose one that's weather-resistant, like a vine or twig wreath, or an artificial green one of faux boxwood or lavender. My Pinterest board for wreaths gives you 50 examples of wreaths for all seasons.  

Get the look, get the book 

You have one chance to make that first impression with buyers. Impress them from the start with the way your exterior looks. Let your home's exterior increase the perceived value of your home. Don't leave without downloading my eBook, DIY Home StagingTips to Sell Your Home For Top Dollar. It's your indispensable guide to getting your home ready for buyers.