;http://getbuttonedup.com[URL]Spring is one of the most popular times in the real-estate market for a reason, so whether or not you’re planting a “For Sale” sign in your front yard, use this time to rework your entrance. You’ll start hearing that treasured phrase — curb appeal — directed your way.
Five things to consider when looking to improve your curb appeal:
1. Winter mess: If you thought rakes were just for the fall, think again. Spring is a great time to bring them out again to clean up messy beds and grassy areas that have lingering winter debris, like small branches. Just 10 or 15 minutes with a rake will likely transform your front yard. In addition, winter probably did a number on your plants, so figure out which items may have died and promptly remove them.
2. Mulch: This doesn’t take a lot of time but makes a huge improvement. Mulch makes everything look neater and cleaner. It even hides some of those dreaded weeds, which translates to less maintenance over time. So head on over to your local garden center and invest in a few bags. You’ll be glad you did.
3. Grab a note pad: Walk around your property and make a list of things that need repair. Pay particular attention to outside lights as well as yard accessories, like wind chimes and birdbaths. Remember that snowstorm back in December? Well, it may have caused some damage that you didn’t notice at the time. Write down everything that needs to be repaired along with the items you will need to purchase, or experts you will need to call, to fix them up.
4. A can of paint: Now it’s time to tackle that tired outdoor furniture. Just because a piece looks a little long in the tooth, your first instinct shouldn’t be to replace it, but to repaint it. There’s almost nothing, short of total rot, that a coat or two of fresh paint can’t help. The same goes for fences.
5. Landscaping: Just like mulch or a fresh coat of paint, nothing makes a house more inviting than a few blooming plants. Not the digging type? Simply purchase a few attractive containers, fill them with colorful flowering plants and place them on the front porch or walkway. The blooms will brighten up your front yard considerably.
The writers are co-founders of Buttoned Up, a company dedicated to helping stressed women get organized. Send ideas and questions to yourlife@getbuttonedup.com.[/URL]
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