Simple Ways to Boost Curb Appeal

The outside of a home can be just as important as the inside in attracting buyers.  

Maureen Gilmer with the DIY Network offers the following five cheap and easy ways to improve curb appeal:

EDGE IT                                                                                             
Make the distinction crisp between lawn and flowerbed or sidewalk. Replace old edging materials with tumbled concrete pavers—the heavier they are the better they stay in place. 

MULCH IT 
Cover bare ground with two inches of attractive mulch.  

STAIN IT
Old concrete walks, steps, and planters crack, stain, and discolor, Cover them with the new colored concrete stains now on the market. The result unifies paving and mimics more expensive stone.   

COLOR IT
Worn out fences can give the property a black eye. Stain them with muted colors like warm gray, soft green, antique gold, or subtle blue.  

PLANT IT
Buy whole flats of six packs of single color annuals.  

Source: Seattle post-Intelligencer, Maureen Gilmer (4/07/07)