It's what’s outside that counts!

Most times it is the picture of the home which gets a buyer interested in seeing the inside.

You know that if they like your home they will do a night drive by before making an offer.

Here are 11 exterior upgrades that’ll give your home simple but effective curb appeal.

Your home’s curb appeal sets the tone for what potential buyers expect of the home they’re walking in. Most people’s buying decisions are based on an emotional response, the curb appeal starts the love affair.

You don’t have to completely overhaul the front of your home in order to sell. Just pick and choose what you think will have the most impact and go from there.  No matter what state the economy is in, dealing with curb appeal issues are important since even in good times, you could be leaving money on the table by not doing needed work.

When times are tough, there are also a lot less potential purchasers and a lot more competition, so you have to make your home stand out in a crowd.

1 Start with the most obvious things

If you can only do a few things to spruce up the exterior of your home, start with the most glaringly obvious. A messy front yard will be the first thing a potential buyer sees and it might tell them not to look any further. You don’t have to have a prize-winning garden to attract potential buyers, just a yard that looks tidy and well cared for.

2 Add planters

Adding planters can go a long way toward creating the perception of a well loved home. They not only add color to a porch or patio, they’re eye-catching and give the impression you spend time improving your surroundings.

3 Ensure consistent window treatments

Matched blinds and curtains can add a lot to the perception of quality and thought put into a home.. You should also wash your windows.  Windex has a spray that attaches to your hose and can do a fine job in little time.

4 Wake up your driveway

Since the driveway is one of the first things prospective buyers will notice, it’s a good idea to freshen it up.  Adding a sealer can refresh a tired driveway. This is an inexpensive makeover that can be accomplished in a short time at a reasonable cost.

5 Add cedar mulch

Adding red cedar mulch goes a long way to freshening up flowerbeds even in early spring when plants are small or non-existent. Most people use the recycled much not realizing there is a bad smell to it.  Cedar adds a touch of color.  If you don’t like the cedar then use hardwood mulch chunks as they will go further.

6 Create a welcoming porch

An empty porch can look stark and cold. If you have a porch large enough to accommodate furniture, set up a welcoming grouping such as two exterior club chairs and a table or a bistro set for dining

7 Put down new sod

A lawn in poor condition does not create a good first impression and is something you should consider replacing if you’re trying to sell your home.  It’s a lot faster to put down new sod instead of waiting,

8 Add mature plants

When working on flowerbeds, adding larger mature plants is a lot easier (and in some cases, less expensive) than buying several flats of annuals. Larger, more mature plants also tend to have a greater impact.

9 Spring for new accoutrements

Adding a new mailbox, house light and house number is a cheap and cheerful way of updating your home’s exterior.

10 Repaint

Giving the exterior of your home a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for curb appeal.  If budget is tight do what is seen from the street, front and one side.

11 Replace windows

Replacing windows is expensive but has a definite impact on curb appeal.