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Curb Appeal: Getting Help With Those Yard Projects

If you’re in the process of selling your home, or simply want to add value to your property and neighborhood, the concept of curb appeal is vital. Your home’s interior may be beautifully decorated and have every amenity imaginable, but if your house doesn’t look beautiful from the street, potential buyers will pass it by. With just a little bit of time and effort, though, you can make your home’s exterior look tidy and well loved, bringing more opportunities for a sale.

When your house is on the market, time is money; the sooner you can get potential buyers interested in your house, the sooner you’ll be able to sell it. Because yard work and home improvements can take time, spend a little bit of money to hire yourself a helper. An extra set of hands will go far in accomplishing a lot in a small period of time, and the outside perspective could prove immensely beneficial. Find a local teenager or college student looking for extra money or college tuition; that extra hundred bucks will help them pay for expensive textbooks. Student workers tend to be inexpensive, and have lots of energy for physical tasks that may be difficult for you.

Once you’ve found the perfect helper, take a tour of your home’s grounds. Start in the car, as if you were driving by. Notice the big picture: what is the nicest part of your house? Which areas need the most work? Take note of your driveway, pathways, lawn, siding, and any clutter in the front yard. If there are architectural details of your home’s exterior that you especially love, think about highlighting them. If your back yard is visible from the road, you’ll want to clean that up as well. As you’re looking at your property, take notes and ask your helper for their opinion.

Decide on which projects are the most pressing, and get supplies. Anything cluttering your yard (kid’s toys, gardening tools, car parts, etc) absolutely MUST go! You want buyers to see your home and lot, not your stuff. Rake up any leaves, clear out your gutters, and tend to your lawn. Remove any weeds that pop up in your garden, lawn, or between blocks of concrete or brick. Fix that dent in your mailbox. You’ll be amazed at how a few simple touches will make your home look warm and inviting.

Once you’ve got your exterior looking spiffy, think about adding some lighting or landscaping touches to enhance its features. If you have a beautiful tree in your front yard, hook up a spotlight to shine on it at night. Dim lights along a walkway can also add a bit of pizzazz. Add a birdhouse or bird feeder to provide a connection with nature. Don’t spend a ton of money: keep it simple and classic. You don’t have to lay down brand new sod, or hire a landscaper to terrace your back yard to add curb appeal. Stick to a few small projects that you can accomplish with a little bit of help, and your home will look well tended and easy to maintain.

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