It’s no secret that a house’s curb appeal can make a tremendous impact on its resale prospects. Although we always tell ourselves not to judge a book by its cover, it’s only human nature to assess something upon the first impression we form. Even if a story is great, we’re less likely to give it a chance if we don’t like the cover. Even if a house’s interior is charming and highly alluring, we may not give it proper consideration when the exterior doesn’t appeal to us.

For this reason it is important to pay attention to your house’s curb value when you’re trying to sell, especially in the current buyer’s market. With prices stagnant and inventory high, refinancing your home may be a better option than trying to sell it under current conditions. But, if you ultimately need to sell, you’re going to want to maximize your curb appeal as much as possible.

Fortunately, it doesn’t take too much money or effort to upgrade a home that is lacking in curb appeal. Here are four easy options that you might want to consider:

1. Start painting.

The easiest and most beneficial way to boost your curb appeal is to get some paint and add an layer to your house’s front façade. Since this may be a challenging solo project, you can get essentially the same value for your work by painting your garage door and your home’s front door. A clean layer of paint on each of those surfaces can go a long way towards boosting your house’s perceived value.

2. Pave the driveway.

When looking to improve curb value, many people focus on their home or on their garden and overlook the driveway. This is a mistake. A chipped, cracked, or faded driveway can reflect poorly on the house and on the property as a whole. The general rule of thumb is that a dark, smooth, and clean driveway is probably your best bet. If you want to take it a step further, however, you can instead top your driveway off with crushed gravel or limestone to give it a more sophisticated look.

3. Brighten and clean the yard.

Most people realize that an appealing front yard can make a house appear much more desirable. This does not, however, require that you plant exotic bushes and spend a tremendous amount of time and money cultivating the perfect garden. Instead, just make sure that everything in the yard is well-trimmed (ie bushes, the grass, any trees). If you’re looking to sell during the warmer months, you also want to make your yard as colorful as possible. This may entail using fertilizer to darken your lawn or buying some cheap flowers to plant near the house.

4. Get outdoor lighting.

Buying and installing a few well-placed outdoor lights can go a long way towards boosting your curb appeal. These lights should be facing towards your house and should be used to illuminate bushes or the home’s façade once evening falls. Having lights can be especially useful in winter, when many homes are viewed after the sun has begun to set.

There are numerous other ways that you can easily improve your home’s curb value. For example, if you drive a nice car, giving that car a wash and then letting it sit in your driveway has been shown to add perceived value to a home. But even without a high-end vehicle, following the above tips can go a long way towards improving your resale value. In a tough market, it’s an easy and obvious investment to make.

Photo Credits: bgautrea

• Regent Hydrogen Spot Lights & Flood Lights Outdoor Lighting Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
• Corn House Seedlings Tropicals Plants, Seeds & Bulbs Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
• Incondesent Spot Lights & Flood Lights Outdoor Lighting Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
• With Hidden Cameras Spot Lights & Flood Lights Outdoor Lighting Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
• 12 Volt Spot Lights & Flood Lights Outdoor Lighting Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery

By renting your tools instead of purchasing, you can greatly reduce the cost of buying new tools. Plus, this gives you access to tools that you would not normally have access to, which can reduce costs down the road. There is further a benefit, since the employees and staff at a tool rental store will be able to provide free advice about regarding the use of tools and how to use them to help you finish your project. These employees have been trained in how to use the tools, and they can impart that expertise unto you to help you with your project.

It doesn't take much to improve the value of your home. Below are three projects which will help add equity to your home.

A good first step is to work on the front of your house.

This area is that which will be seen first by prospective buyers. Cleaning up here will greatly increase the value of your home with a minimum amount of work. This is first done by cleaning the facade of the house, which is easily accomplished by a power washer rented from an appropriate location. The power washer will collect water from your house's outdoor water system and output it at a great pressure, blasting away filth and potentially damaging growths. It will not only remove dirt, moss, mildew and other forms of filth from the facade, but you can use it to also clean off your front porch and walkway, the garage, shed, even the deck. A word of caution: make sure you get instruction as to how to use the power washer. If used incorrectly, it can be powerful enough to damage your home.

The next step is to take care of your lawn.

This will provide the two of the one-two punch of a first impression provided by the outward appearance of your home. Every lawn is as unique as its owner, but there are things that can always be done. A pair of tools that you should rent is a dethatcher and an aerator. The dethatcher removes the built up layer of dead grass, leaves and stems that have built up in your lawn. This will increase the amount of water and feed that the ground can absorb. The aerator will also perform this task by providing channels through which air, water and fertilizer can reach the roots and lower parts of the plant. Be sure to choose a fertilizer appropriate for your lawn, and make sure that there are no growths of weeds.

The final step is a tip to greatly improve the appearance of just about every room in your home.

It is nearly unavoidable that the carpets in your home will collect large amounts of dirt, up to 10 times as much. To clean your carpets and give them a new home appearance, rent a portable hot-water cleaning system. You will be left with a floor that really brightens every room in your house.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-12-10 05:05:34. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Big Book of Home How To By Better Homes and Gardens When it comes to dealing with the authority on home improvement, you can’t much better than Better Homes and Gardens. For decades they have been helping and inspiring home owners throughout the world. Let’s see if their latest book is worth the money and if it can help you with......
• The Credit Crunch and Your Home - Raise its Value With the recent economic crisis, a lot of individuals are worried about property values in light of the current events. While nothing can be said to predict just how everything can pan out, there are steps that you can perform to raise the value of your home and give yourself......
• Guide to Buying a Home Water Softener If your home’s water is excessively hard, it may be time to think about purchasing a water softener. If you are not sure if you have hard water, there are a few easy tests that will help you determine this. First and foremost, you can send a sample to a......
• More on How to Winterize Your Home Winter is just around the corner and this means getting your home ready. While this is mainly important for those that live in colder climates, many of these tips are useful even if you have a house in the desert. Getting your home ready for winter is actually quite easy......
• Book Review: No-Fear Home Improvement: 100 Projects Anyone Can Do by Creative Homeowners The Creative Homeowner is one of today’s hottest resources for home improvement and this latest book produced by their editors addresses one of the biggest concerns that homeowners have. They want to start making improvements around their home, but they are too worried that they may mess something up. Considering......

• Center Supplies Wholesale Lawn & Garden Nursery
• Clamps Welding & Soldering Tools Tools Home Improvement
• Pry Bars Hand Tools Tools Home Improvement
• Lawn Insect & Grub Control Pest & Weed Control Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
• Omron Step Pedometers Monitors & Pedometers Gym, Workout & Yoga Exercise & Fitness

We all make assumptions based on what we visually perceive. If that weren’t the case, you wouldn’t be told not to judge a book by its cover. But the truth is, we do judge by exterior appearances, whether we realize it or not, and if your home is sending the wrong message, you may be driving off potential buyers. In order to get started, it’s a good idea to get in front of your house and take a picture.

We recommend this step because you may be missing things when you’re just looking at your house normally. We get inured to certain details, like that coil of hose you’ve been meaning to put away for three months, and we start to block out areas that may need a little help. By taking a photograph of your home from your curb, you’ll be getting a fresh perspective. You may also want to drive around and look for homes that evoke the response you’re looking for from your own home. Take pictures of them (if the owners don’t mind) and compare them.

Once you have your picture in front of you, write down your instant impression of your home. Is it welcoming, junky, a bit run down, elegant, happy….etc… Find the emotion that comes to mind first and this will be your starting point for making improvements. At this stage, it is a good idea to write down your goals so that you can keep them in front of you when you begin implementing the changes.

Now that you know what your home’s curb appeal says, it’s time to find out if you need to change that, and how to go about it. For example, if your first reaction was “wow, that is one messy yard,” you can start to take the steps to clean it up. Try focusing on one area at a time and take a picture each time your tasks are completed. This helps you keep a running log of your progress and will allow you to see what is changing from a different perspective.

It may take a few tweaks to get your home to the point where the first impression is where you want it to be. Just be patient and take your time. If you are under the wire and need to sell your house quickly, you may need to move a little faster and try to get more done at once until you have your desired result.

With a little effort and the right perspective, your home’s curb appeal can say exactly what you want it to.

Photo Credit: 1

Originally posted 2008-11-12 05:40:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Home Office Ideas Home working has reached a level where it has once again become a major part of the economy. It is especially big in Europe. For example, approximately 4 million residents in the UK work from home necessitating the need to optimise their office spaces in order to improve efficiency, while......
• The Stanley Complete Step-by-Step Revised Book of Home Repair and Improvement By The Stanley Company When it comes to home repair, one of the most trusted names has to be the Stanley Company. They make what many consider to be the best tools, and when you see that yellow and black label, you immediately know you can count on it. This branding has served them......
• Easy Ways to Increase The Value of Your Home As the housing market continues to struggle, many homeowners are looking into ways to increase the value of their homes. However, a common issue that keeps these homeowners from making improvement is the lack of availability on home improvement loans, and a lack of available funding. Luckily, there are many......
• New Complete Guide to Landscaping: Design, Plant, Build by Better Homes and Gardens If you want to increase the value of your home, one of the best ways to go about it is to have your home professional landscaped. However, this is pretty costly and many homeowners, especially those with green thumbs, like the satisfaction of being able to do it on their......
• Is Wreckovating Worth It? If you are considering changing your home, it is important to decide if “wreck-o-vating” or the process of completely tearing apart a room and redoing it entirely is worth the effort. There are many opponents to wreckovating, but in some cases, this style of renovating may be necessary. Here is......

• Gas Back Pack With Electric Start Leaf Blowers & Vacuums Outdoor Power Equipment Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
• Picture Frames Precious Moments Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles
• Incense Burners Home Fragrances Home D�cor & Accents Home Store
• Ijv50 Quick Start Jam Pack Ibanez Right-Handed Acoustic Guitar Acoustic Musical Instruments
• Home Fragrances Home D�cor & Accents Home Store

1. Go Green.

Installing energy efficient appliances is perhaps the easiest way to increase the value of your home. Look for the Energy Star label since you may be eligible for special cash back rewards. These new appliances are remarkably different from older models and many of the new refrigerators will use about the same amount of energy as a light bulb.

There are many other ways to go green with your home. Try installing a new “green” flooring system, such as bamboo or cork. These floors will add beauty to your home and you’ll feel good about your choice. You can also install energy efficient windows and more to your home to save on your energy bills.

2. Landscape Your Yard.

One of the best ways to installing increase your curb appeal is by landscaping your yard. Whether it’s a single shade tree or an elaborate garden, landscaping gives you the opportunity to have fun and improve your yard. Anyone can landscape, and with the right tools, you’ll get professional results.

3. Refresh Your Kitchen.

The kitchen is the heart of your home and for many DIY’ers, this is the place to start. From replacing cabinet doors, to adding new fixtures, there are many ways that you can make that old kitchen look brand new. If you’ve got the budget, you can tear out your old cabinets and completely overhaul the space.

Today’s kitchens are more efficient and easier to keep up, thanks to new materials and designs that make the most out of the space in your kitchen.

4. Add a Room.

Whether it’s a brand new addition, or a new way to use an old space, there are plenty of ways that you can get more out of your home and make it worth more money. Building on to your home is a great way to save money and get more space, without having to purchase a new house. Your new addition can even be something as simple as a converted garage or basement.

5. Add a Deck, or Screen in a Porch.

Looking to take advantage of outdoor space? Adding on a deck or a patio gives you a whole other room and plenty of chances for fun. Anyone with basic building experience can make a deck, and this is a great addition to any home.

A screened in porch can also be very useful, especially as a three season room. If you’re not quite ready to build on, but you still need some extra space, this is a great solution and it’s easy to do!

These are just a few ways that you can add to the value of your home and get more use out of it.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-09-11 05:58:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Why Bother with Basement Renovations? For some people, basement renovations are something complicated by problems with water or because their basements are little more than dirt cellars. For homes that have the potential, however, basement renovations can greatly improve a house. Adding a room to your home is a significant expense. But renovating the basement,......
• Three Ways to Fix Up Your House - The Outside If you are trying to find some quick and inexpensive ways to get the outside of your house shaped up, there are numerous options. We’re going to cover three of the best that can transform any home into a showpiece, with a minimal investment of time, effort and money. You......
• How to Get Your Home Ready for Winter Winter may be a few months away, but now is a great time to start getting ready for it. With energy prices on the rise, it is important to find ways to cut costs and reduce the amount of energy you use in the winter. Let’s go over a few......
• 4 Easy Little Touches Anyone Can Do To Their Home When it comes to home renovation, many people are under the impression that it means big projects that are costly. Actually, there are many different small and inexpensive projects that can be done that will not only make your house look great, but also increase its value. Most of these......
• Landscaping 101 Landscaping can be done by anyone, but the results will depend on the amount of time, planning and your ability to carry out your goals. If you feel more comfortable paying for professional landscaping services, by all means use that route. However, there is nothing like the feeling that comes......

• Sterling Silver Flatware Kitchen, Dining & Bar Home Store
• Solar Water Pumps Alternative & Solar Energy Electrical & Solar Home Improvement
• Kitchen Furniture Home Store
• Deck Plastic Planters, Pots & Window Boxes Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
• Green Pool Chemicals & Testing Pools & Spas Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living

1. Roller Doors -

If your space is at a premium in your garage, or you don't want to have to install tracks for the door this is the best option. The door will simply roll up into a big ball when it goes up. This means that the material used is a little more flexible than the average door, so it may not be as durable as other kinds. However, if you're looking for an easy installation and you don't have a lot of space, this is a great choice. This type of door works well with most garage door openers, especially the ones that are mounted on the wall above the door, instead of in the middle of the garage ceiling.

2. Sectional Doors -

This is a hybrid between the roller door and a standard door. It's made of several sections that are hinged together and the material is usually quite rigid and durable. This type of door became very popular in higher end housing communities where it was important to match the style of the door to the style of the house. These doors come in many different colors and materials. They will be raised like a traditional garage door, so you will need to install tracking for it. These take up quite a bit of headroom in your garage and will require an opener that is placed in the center of the garage ceiling. This type of door will work best in garages where there is a lot of headroom and space.

3. Tilting Doors -

These are not as popular as they once were, but you can still find them. If you have a Craftsman style or other type of older home and you want to retain that "old" feel, this is a very good choice. They don't use a lot of headroom and are pretty easy to install. They will require tracks however and normally, this type of door will not work with an opener. Practically any kind of material can be used for this type of door and you'll be able to match it to your home's exterior quite well.

4. Flexi Doors -

These are sold under various brand names, but the general concept is that they are made of flexible material and fit onto a curved track. These work well in garages where there is not a lot of headroom, or in garages that had older style doors that needed to be replaced. They are available in a variety of different materials and are usually pretty durable. Overall, this is probably the best door for most homes and it's the easiest to maintain.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-11-10 14:11:08. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Kitchen Cabinet Remodeling: Refinish or Reface? Instead of replacing your kitchen cabinetry when you redo your kitchen, you can save money and hassle by cabinet remodeling instead. Rather than the need to remove the old cabinets and install new ones (or pay someone to do it) you can opt to either refinish or reface your cabinets.......
• Door Installation Instructions for Knocked-Down Pre-Hung Doors Doors are something in our homes that we often take for granted. On the surface they are fairly simple, but as with most things in the home they’re a lot more difficult to deal with when you’re doing it yourself. Below you’ll find some door installation instructions to help you......
• How to Screen In Your Porch There is nothing quite like sitting on your porch during a relaxing evening after dinner. Especially if you're trying to dodge mosquitoes and other nasty little insects. While you may not be able to completely get rid of these insects, there is a way to easily create your own screened......
• How to Fix an Interior Door Interior doors are usually not made of the best materials, and even the nicest homes may have simple hollow core doors. Since these doors are in high use areas, they can frequently have issues, such as hinge wear, and even in many cases, holes where something fell against it. If......
• Screen Door Repairs You may be surprised to learn that the repairs for a screen door can be relatively simple. Most modern style screen doors have an aluminum frame that is lightweight and stretched across the frame there is fiberglass screening material. Unfortunately, the light weight nature of the fiberglass material means that......

• Entry Sets Doors & Door Hardware Building & Hardware Home Improvement
• European Park Style Lanterns, Strings Outdoor Lighting Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
• Portable Fireplaces & Stoves Portable & Space Heaters Heating, Cooling & Air Home Improvement
• Levers Doors & Door Hardware Building & Hardware Home Improvement
• Roller Derby Inline Skates Skate Shop