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14 Easy Ways to Boost the Value of Your Home
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Never underestimate the power of a good first impression. A home that is attractive from the road can sell in
as little as half the time, making it less likely that you'll have to reduce the asking price.
LANDSCAPE
1. Edge lawns and flowerbeds. A sharp edge gives a well-maintained look. Conversely, grass or weeds
sprouting from cracks in paths implies neglect.
2. Add color. Plant flowers to make the front of a house come alive, particularly if the home itself is white or a
dark color.
3. Patch cracks in walkways and sidewalks, even if the sidewalk is the town's responsibility. If tree roots
have shattered a section, consider rerouting the sidewalk around the tree. Also, sweep all walks.
4. Trim overgrown trees and shrubs. Remove dead or dying plants.
HOUSE FACADE
5. Polish the doorknob. If the main entryway's doorknob or knocker shows signs of age, it's worth spending
$150 or so for the set to replace it.
6. Remove potted plants, statues and decorations from the front stoop. They make it feel cluttered and
smaller.
7. Use similar drapes in front windows. Most home owners select drapes and blinds for the way they look
inside the home -- but different colors and shapes in front windows make a home look unbalanced.
8. Replace broken and missing shingles. Just a few bad shingles give the impression of roof problems -- a
major turnoff for potential buyers.
OTHER DETAILS
9. Remove weathered basketball hoops. Only keep them up if they look new and have nets.
10. Match your mailbox to your home. A cutesy mailbox is appropriate for a cutesy home. A $500,000 home
shouldn't have a $10 mailbox.
11. Take down a dilapidated backyard fence, especially if it can be seen from the street or driveway.
12. Remove any decorative element that could be considered clutter. Walkway lights and garden fountains
are fine. Garden gnomes, out-of-season Christmas lights and other ornamentation should be packed away.
13. Keep garage doors closed. Even tidy garage interiors don't look as neat as closed garage doors. Garbage
cans, rakes, bikes, etc. should be stored inside.
14. Maintain the "for sale" sign. A post that is leaning or in need of painting implies your home has been on
the market for a long time. That suggests problems.
