(Family Features) If you're planning to list your home for sale, curb appeal is a must. The exterior of your home sends an important message about its value, and the first impression can set expectations for both buyers and appraisers. Boost your home’s curb appeal with these tips.

1. Evaluate the Landscape - Curb appeal is about the big picture, which includes your lawn, shrubs and features such as flower beds and rock gardens. Keep grass neatly trimmed and prune vegetation for a well-kept look. Give your home a thorough assessment from the street. Are trees or shrubs obscuring an appealing architectural detail? Does vegetation dwarf your home, making it seem small? Would a pop of color from some flowering plants add to the overall look?

2. Beware of Dirt - Because you see your home every day, you may not realize the exterior has become dull with a layer of dust and dirt. An adjustable pressure washer can help you wash siding, garage doors and shutters without stripping paint, as well as delicate items such as glass top patio tables. Switch to high flow mode to clean second story windows, eaves and gutters or to blast away hard-to-reach cobwebs and insect nests.

3. Update with Paint - If a power wash isn’t enough, it may be time to revisit your home's exterior color scheme. Even modest adjustments, from pale beige to a deeper tan, for example, can completely alter the look. If a complete paint job isn’t in the budget, freshen up the trim, door and shutters.

4. Remember the Details - Decks, fences, mailboxes, birdbaths, gazebos and other decorative features all factor into your home's exterior image. Thoroughly clean these items, repair any loose or broken pieces such as fence slats, and apply a fresh coat of paint or stain, if needed.

Source: Briggs & Stratton

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