When buyers are searching for their next home and your house pops up within their criteria, that first impression is what dictates whether a buyer will add your home to their list to view or not. The outside of your home is the first thing they see and will set the tone for how they react to the rest of your home. With this much weight resting on your curb appeal, it is important to do it right. Here are some tips for adding curb appeal to your home:

1. Professional Photos

The first impression of your home will many times start with the pictures. Begin with a professional photographer to capture the angles and details that are important to home buyers and show your home in a realistic, but a positive light. This is not the time for an artistic photo shoot with colorful or abstract edits. You want your home to look realistic and be transparent in photos but also take care to make sure that the photos do justice to your home.

2. Clean, Clean and Clean Some More

Homebuyers don’t want to pull up to your home and see personal items or “junk” scattered around. You want your home to appear neat and clean rather than a messy after thought. Buyers buy with emotion as well as other factors. Seeing stuff scattered or dirt and grime all over the exterior and ground gives a poor first impression. If your siding or windows are dirty but in overall good condition, consider washing your windows and power washing the exterior and patios. You can hire out for these jobs without breaking the bank.

3. Manicure The Lawn

Remove any dead shrubbery or plants, clean up flower beds, remove weeds, and give an overall appearance that you care. If the lawn is dead or in poor shape, consider (depending on the time frame and how long you have for grass to grow) prepping and planting new seed or replacing with fresh sod. An inviting, green lawn can do wonders for attracting people to your home. Plant colorful flowers that add visual appeal and attractive qualities to your property. Consider putting down fresh potting soil or mulch in flower beds to spruce the space up a bit.

4. Replace or Paint House Numbers

You want to make it easy for buyers to find your home and identify it. By making the numbers on your home look great and match the overall styling of your home, you help give that warm cozy feeling many buyers are looking for. Pick numbers that look good with the styling of your home and are attractive to extend the theme outside.

5. Consider Painting Exterior

If your paint is peeling, splotchy, far from neutral or just really worn, painting your home could do wonders for the visual appeal. A fresh coat of paint can make a dramatic difference. When choosing colors, don’t get too personal about what you like. You are selling this home and what you personally like may not be reflective of what a general audience would like. So skip the bright orange and opt for a more neutral or popular color that will attract the most people. If you aren’t sure where to start, ask your Realtor or go to your local home improvement store and pick up a few pre-selected exterior color schemes that seem to be trending.

6. Paint Your Front Door

Again, the paint is cheap and super impactful. If your door looks weathered or needs some updating, try painting the front door an inviting color that works well with the color of your home exterior. There is more room here for fun colors, but again, don’t get carried away and choose a wild color that only you love.

Adding curb appeal to your home with these steps can help put your home on the top of a buyer’s viewing list and tug at the emotional heartstrings of a potential buyer. Don’t miss the opportunity to “wow” by ignoring some of the cheap (or even free) fixes you can do to make your house stand out.