Curb appeal boot camp

Curb appeal creation
Next, ramp up your home’s appeal with these improvements:
• A beautifully landscaped front yard. Aim for balance, says Linda. “It’s overkill to use a lawn as one big flower garden, but also unappealing if your front yard is all lawn and no flowers. You need a nice balance of both.” Look to the appealing properties in your area for inspiration
• Edge out the sides of your lawn, around trees and shrubs, so borders are crisp. Mulch around trees and shrubs with natural coloured (not reddish hued) wood chips
• Update your front door with a fresh coat of paint and/or new hardware
• Clean your windows inside and out, and remember to wash the white framework, too. “This will make the house look in top shape,” says Linda
• Paint! Whether it’s the entire exterior or just the porch or front gate, anything that looks faded will look a thousand times better after it gets a fresh coat of paint
• Install a new storm door, if yours is out of date
• Purchase new blinds, curtains or shutters if yours have seen better days (and leave them open during viewings and open houses)
• Add porch planters filled with pretty seasonal flowers and greenery
• If you have a big enough porch, consider adding a bench or two-seat bistro table with a plant on top.

Condo “curb” appeal
In a condo or townhouse context, says Linda, keep these tips in mind:
• Townhouse condos include exterior maintenance, but don’t let your front lawn look unruly to potential buyers just because the maintenance schedule didn’t match your home-marketing schedule! Rent or borrow a lawnmower and mow your patch of lawn yourself. (And in winter, shovel!)
• A pretty seasonal wreath hung on the front door creates a welcoming message for an apartment-style condo or loft.
• Never overcrowd the foyer of a condo suite. “It’s much better to have one small piece of furniture or none at all,” says Linda.

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