How to Make Your Home BLOSSOM on the Market this Spring

In Texas one of our favorite seasons is spring!

The bluebonnets make their annual appearance. Lawns turn lush and green again. Trees become canopies of shade as barren limbs fill in with leaves, and vibrant color is everywhere as eager gardeners plant their favorite flowers, shrubs and herbs.

Spring is also one of the best times of the year for home sellers, because it is easy and affordable to maximize curb appeal. And improving curb appeal has shown to increase not only the value of property, but also the property values of an entire neighbourhood.

Here are tips on how you can make your home sparkle this spring:

• Clean up flower beds by weeding and pruning shrubs. Add mulch for a high-end look.

• Invest in pots. A few attractive ceramic (or ceramic look-alike) pots filled with plants can make an entrance inviting.

• Replace the mailbox with a newer one and put some nice plantings at the base to dress it up.

• Pressure wash siding, decks and walkways.

• Clean windows and gutters, and check downspouts.

• Check the growth of trees and bushes–ensure they don’t block light from any window.

• Kill any mold or mildew around the property.

• Mow the lawn, eliminate weeds, and rake and dispose of leaves, especially if it’s a wooded lot.

• Paint the front door. Color choice has a big impact–so you might want to get a professional’s advice.

• Don’t forget the rear yard–buyers may attempt to see the back yard during a drive by, even from another street.

• Outdoor lighting is a big plus because 50 percent of viewings take place at night. Inexpensive but tasteful low-voltage lighting is readily available. Consider placing lighting along the sidewalks, driveway or landscaping elements. Be sure your front door and numbers are clearly visible from the street.

• If the inside of your home is visible at night, be sure the interior lighting also enhances what is seen from the outside.