You've likely heard of the term "curb appeal"...

It refers to the initial impression buyers get when they first see your property from the street. If the impression is a good one, it sets the right tone for the rest of the home viewing and can even get you more money on the sale of your home!  

Here are some proven ideas and simple solutions that you can do to your home to help with the first impressions!

• Sweep the walkway leading up to the front entrance. Add a new welcome mat and a flower pot. Also, wash down the front door. 

• Wash both the inside and outside of the front windows. You'll be amazed at the difference that can make.

• If possible, remove cars from the driveway. Let buyers imagine their own cars parked there!

• Mow the lawn. Lightly trim the hedges. Weed flower beds.

• Remove anything from inside window sills that may look unsightly from the outside. Try putting a couple of flowering plants there instead.

• Place any trash bins out-of-sight. For example, put them in the garage or neatly at the side of the house.

• If the entrance door hardware is old and worn, change it. New hardware can make a bigger difference than you might think.

• Make sure the outdoor lights are working, especially if you're showing your home in the evening.

• Add some flowering plants to flower beds, or buy a couple of portable potted plants and place them strategically.

• If you have a power washer, give the walkway, driveway or stair rail a quick blast! 

These simple improvements may seem minor, but anything that helps buyers form a more positive first impression of your home is worth the effort!  

If you would like more ideas, please feel free to contact me!  I'm always here to help!

Here's a surprising statistic! Less than 30% of window replacements are the result of the old windows being worn, broken or otherwise in need of replacement.

Clearly, there are other good reasons to consider new windows! One of the most popular motivations is cosmetic. Brand new windows have a huge impact on the overall look of a home, both on the inside and the outside.

New windows can improve curb appeal — an important element when you sell a home.  From the inside, new windows can dramatically improve the look of a room.

Another reason to replace windows is to address energy costs. Modern windows are packed with technologies that lower heating/cooling bills. From low-e/argon to special spacer bars to high-insulating construction, these technologies can provide savings you'll notice, especially if you're replacing very old windows.

And a third reason is window style and characteristics. Simply put, you may not like your current windows! You may want more glass and less frame to enhance your view. Maybe your windows pull up (vertical sliders) when you'd rather have them open like a door (casements). Perhaps you'd like fancy blinds in-between the panes of glass.

Replacing windows lets you get exactly the look and features you want!

Will new windows boost the resale value of your home? They might, at least a little. But there's one thing for certain: upgraded windows definitely make your home look more appealing to buyers.