A wise person once said, “First impressions are everything.” While this is a good thing to remember when introducing yourself to new people, it also applies to your home, especially when your goal is to sell.
 
Many sellers spend a lot of time prepping the inside of their homes by giving the walls a fresh coat of paint, clearing their clutter, and replacing dated hardware. While these steps are essential, don’t use them as an excuse to ignore the outside of your home – especially during the spring and summer months, when buyers are more likely to linger outdoors. After all, your front yard is the first thing potential buyers will see when they pull up for a showing, and you want to make the right impression. Good curb appeal is also a great way to catch the eye of people who are driving by and searching for random “For Sale” signs. To make your home worthy of love at first sight, the following small changes can have a huge impact.

1. Paint Your Front Door. A front door in a bright and welcoming color can add a burst of personality and set your home apart from every other house on the block. Just make sure not to go too crazy – a deep red is unexpected yet still natural, while purple or yellow might raise eyebrows.
    
2. Smooth Landing. Is your driveway a welcoming sight, or a walk of shame? Actually, don’t answer that. Instead, give your walkway some love by removing weeds that may have sprouted in cracks, trimming up edges for a neat look, and cleaning pesky oil stains. If you have time and ambition, you can also frame your driveway with attractive stone pavers.
    
3. Go Green. Spring and summer in Wilmington are warm and green, thanks to an abundance of plants and flowers. Keep your front yard healthy by watering your lawn, trimming your azalea bushes, and pulling weeds from your garden beds. If you’ve got a good porch, dress it up with a few potted flowers. Seasonal favorites such as bright tulips or daffodils will bring a smile to anyone’s face.
    
4. Mail Call! The mailbox is one of those things everyone has but no one pays much attention to, unless, of course, it’s an eyesore. Make sure your mailbox blends in by choosing one that fits the style of your home, and give it a little TLC. Not only will your mail carrier be impressed, so will potential home buyers!
    
5. Get Out of the Gutter. Like mailboxes, gutters are another one of those underappreciated aspects of the home. If you have older gutters, replacing them with a newer, snap-fit vinyl system is a relatively easy project that can be completed in an afternoon. At the very least, make sure your gutters are clean and free of debris, especially after a season of heavy spring rains.
    
6. Replace Your Doormat. For an inexpensive and instant update, splurge on a new doormat. Doormats tend to fade fast and if they’re doing their job, they’re full of dirt and debris. While you can certainly shake it out and hose it down, nothing says “welcome home” like a fresh, clean doormat.
    
7. Easy as 1, 2, 3. Make sure your house number is prominently displayed and easy to see. The last thing you want to do is make it harder on someone coming to look at your house. Put your numbers on the mailbox, hang them on the wall beside your front door, or paint them on the side of a flowerpot. Just make sure they are easy to read and visible so people will find them and know right away that they’re home.