You can steam clean the carpet, rearrange the furniture, and create a warm and inviting space inside the home—but don’t forget about the outside!

First impressions and curb appeal matter a great deal when selling a home, and a properly staged exterior will set the tone for the rest of the showing.

The following tips can help you and your clients create an appealing exterior, enticing prospective homebuyers to see how beautiful the home is on the inside!

Roof Cleaning and Repair

Hire a professional to clean the roof, clean/repair the gutters, and replace any shabby-looking shingles. Nothing turns a buyer away faster than a roof in imminent need of replacement!

Power/Pressure Washing

Dirt builds up over the years, and power washing the driveway, porch, sidewalk, and exterior walls removes much of the grime. Most home improvement stores allow you to rent pressure washers for under $100, or you can pay a professional to do it.

Windows and Doors

Check the caulking on the windows and doors; if it’s looking worn down, replace it. Fresh caulk enhances the look of the home and increases energy efficiency!

Paint exterior doors and install new hardware. Consider updating the porch/exterior lights to make a great first impression on those who cross the threshold.

Yardwork

Unkept bushes and trees make a home look old and dilapidated, so be sure to give them a thorough trim. If your clients have any doubt about how to best trim the trees, it may be worth it in the long run to hire a professional. There’s no “undo” command for a tree-trimming monstrosity!

Pull weeds and reduce the number of potted and hanging plants on the porch to give the appearance of extra space.

Spread neutral-colored mulch (black or brown) around the garden. It’s healthy for the plants and it makes the home more visually appealing to prospective buyers.

Also, consider asking your sellers to remove any yard art, since prospective buyers might not share their love for pink flamingos.

Exterior Upgrades

Install new, large house numbers that reflect your client’s personal style—and help local delivery drivers!

If there’s enough space, add plants (faux trees look great flanking the entry door and require much less care than real ones!), cozy seating, and outdoor rugs to the front porch so it’s just as inviting as the inside of the house.