Many homebuyers will do a ‘drive-by’ of homes they’re interested in before scheduling a tour of the interior of the house, which makes creating great curb appeal an essential step in the selling process. In order to successfully sell a home in today’s market, it’s absolutely imperative to boost your house’s curb appeal as much as possible. These ten tips for improving your home’s curb appeal can have you on the road to a sale in no time!

1. Paint or Replace Shutters

Peeling and dilapidated windows can negatively affect a potential buyer’s first impression, even if the rest of the home’s exterior is impeccable. In addition to replacing any damaged shutters, it’s also a good idea to throw a fresh coat of paint on them. This is a quick and relatively cheap way to give the exterior a good visual boost.

2. Replace or Power-Wash Siding

Dingy and damaged siding is another curb appeal-killer; if power-washing doesn’t do the trick, it might be a good idea to look into replacing your existing siding. If there’s no room in the budget for complete replacement, repairing any damaged sections will help bolster up the appearance.

3. Paint Stucco Exteriors

If the exterior of your home is a stucco coating that’s seen better days, a coat of paint is the equivalent of a face-lift. If you’re thinking of changing the color altogether, it’s best to check with your homeowners’ association before tackling the project; some HOA’s have a list of pre-approved colors that owners are allowed to choose from, and you don’t want to paint the whole house just to have the HOA tell you that color won’t work.

4. Re-Sod Sparse Lawns

A patchy lawn can make even a well-kept home seem a bit forlorn; sowing grass seed or having the area re-sodded is certainly one of the most effective ways of enhancing the desirability of your home.

5. Repave Driveways

Cracked driveways with oil stains and other signs of disrepair will not do you any favors in helping your home sell. Resurfacing driveways can assist in making your house seem almost like a brand new one.

6. Repair or Replace Sidewalks

Just like a cracked or damaged driveway, sidewalks that have fallen into disrepair can affect the way your home is perceived in the minds of potential buyers. Replacing them or having them resurfaced can do wonders for the overall appeal of your home.

7. Plant Shrubs and Flowers

Landscaping is one of the best ways to elevate the appearance of your home, and to make it one of the most desirable ones on the block. For homeowners with a brown thumb, there are dozens of low-maintenance shrub options that look beautiful without requiring the attention that finicky flowers can demand.

8. Take Care of Existing Trees

Mature trees can increase the selling price of a home by thousands of dollars, as long as those trees are properly cared for. While well-maintained trees can be a major plus, those with precarious-looking branches can turn a buyer off. The potential for storm damage from neglected trees can be a deal-breaker.

9. Upgrade the Front Door

The entryway to your home should be as inviting as possible, especially if you’re looking to sell. Replacing or even sprucing up your existing door with a new coat of paint can add to the welcoming quality, as well as positively influence the perceptions of buyers.

10. Keep Kids’ Clutter to a Minimum

While signs of happy and active children send a great message to newlyweds or young families, it’s important to keep the toy clutter to a minimum. Fading plastic playhouses and smaller toys strewn everywhere seem chaotic, rather than charming. On the front lawn especially, homeowners should pay particular attention to keeping things as neat as possible.

Armed with a library of how-to books, you’re confident that you can tackle your home’s repairs and remodeling yourself—and pocket the money you’d have spent on professional labor. Many DIYers make critical mistakes that can decrease their homes’ salability. Avoid these seven common mistakes:

1. Overestimating your skills. Be honest about your abilities. Buyers can tell when things aren’t in the proper position, when light sockets aren’t vertical, and laminate flooring is bowed. It comes down to quality of work. If you can’t do it right, you’ll have to pay to have it fixed.

2. Underestimating the value of your time. You may, in theory, be capable of laying new bathroom tile. But between your job demands and the kids’ soccer games, can you really finish the project in a few weeks, or will it stretch over months? Your time may be worth the cost of a pro.

3. Equating dollars spent with value. Good design is critical, especially in kitchen and bath remodels. A $60K kitchen designed by a pro to mesh well with a house will bring a better return than a $60K kitchen that bungles traffic flow and clashes with the style of adjoining areas. When you’re going down to the studs, get an architect or interior designer involved.

4. Neglecting details. Don’t leave projects half done. It doesn’t just fail to add value, it actually subtracts value.

5. Overlooking permits. A qualified pro will know what is legally required.

6. Missing guarantees. Pros will back their work. That can be essential on big projects like roof repairs. When you DIY, you’re the only one accountable for missteps.

7. Thinking DIY means do it all yourself. Consider hiring professionals to back up your know-how. Tap into the free kitchen and bath design services at home-improvement stores. Many paint stores have color consultants you can use for a small fee. Or hire a plumber on an hourly basis to install new toilets and sinks after you’ve done the demo work— you’ll rest easier knowing the water will flow safely. Ultimately, the key to success with any project is asking the right questions. Your real estate agent is a great resource.

I would like to address a question that my Realtors and I are asked almost daily.  “With buyers everywhere why do I need a Realtor?”

Sellers probably need a Realtor now more than ever. While there are many buyers looking for properties, many of them have not taken the time to find out whether or not they even qualify to buy.  So they will be looking, looking, looking and might not even be able to purchase. These buyers can take up a lot of your time and keep your property from being exposed to actual qualified buyers. Realtors provide pre-screened, qualified buyers who are ready, willing and able to buy.

In my opinion another major reason to have a Realtor in this market or any market is that it is safer. The Realtor will meet the prospective buyer, find out about their financing and needs. You will not be letting random strangers into your home without knowing anything about them or their intentions.

And a third reason a Realtor is necessary in a real estate transaction is because Realtors are professionals trained and experienced to assist their client’s in the negotiation process. Realtors know the ins and outs of the required paperwork and disclosures.

Every day I hear people talking about there being no properties available to buy in northwestern ND. Is this true?

It is and it isn’t. There are properties selling every day. My office has had more closed transactions year to date in 2011 than any time in our 26 year existence. The truth is, properties are being listed, but they are selling quickly so the inventory is not what it has been in the past.

This makes it very important for buyers to be working with a Realtor. My best advice is for buyers to lay out exactly what they are looking for to a Realtor of their choice (pick one Realtor, do not work with several at the same time), get their financing all in place and be ready to act when a suitable property comes along.

I do realize that most very important decisions such as purchasing a home should not be made in a hurry, but our market is an exception. Buyers need to be ready to pounce on the perfect property at a decent asking price because there are other buyers out there who are ready.

We are hearing a lot about foreclosures and short sales in the national media. Although our market does not have a large amount of foreclosures we are seeing some. Are they a good deal?

The answer is a vague: sometimes. Many foreclosed or distressed properties sell for much more than they are listed for. Many have serious problems that buyers may overlook. Typically there isn’t a lot of negotiation. The buyer makes his best offer in what often is a bidding contest and the seller accepts an offer based on criteria that is oftentimes unclear. Buyers are discouraged from asking for home inspections or warranties and are not provided with a property disclosure.  My answer would be that foreclosed properties are a better fit for experienced buyers who understand the many potential problems and who are aware of the risks involved.