| #ffffff;" /> | | | | back. If there is a narrow planting bed along the |
| People selling their homes via real estate brokers | | | | front of the house, widen it. Have the bed swoop |
| get lots of coaching. People selling their own | | | | in a curve around to the side of the house. |
| homes as FSBOs need the same. One of the | | | | Depending on the size and scale of the house, |
| most important topics on which FSBOs can | | | | plant something like a dogwood, a butterfly bush |
| benefit from coaching is “curb | | | | or a holly in the curve at the corner of the house. |
| appeal.” How does your home look when | | | | Make sure it will not be so close or so large as to |
| a potential buyer drives up to the curb and takes | | | | overwhelm the house in a few years. Fill in with |
| that all important first look? | | | | smaller plants at the front of the widened bed. |
| Be Sure It Looks Great | | | | Mulch. Mulch. Mulch. But the mulch should be only |
| Single family residences require the most work. | | | | two or three inches deep. Don’t let it pile |
| The FSBO seller of a single family home also has | | | | up on the trunks of trees. |
| the most control of what is seen from the curb, | | | | Plant colorful flowers in containers on either side |
| so let’s start there. Make sure grass is | | | | of the front door if the season is conducive. |
| cut, leaves are raked, sidewalks swept and | | | | Geraniums work well in sunny spots. Impatiens |
| edged, and planting beds are freshly mulched. | | | | are good in shade. Make sure the containers are |
| That’s just the beginning. | | | | of natural materials. Most plastic containers look |
| Narrow walks leading to front doors are not | | | | tacky and cheap. Advertisements for luxury cars |
| inviting. If you can afford to have the walk | | | | show them near expensive houses and beautifully |
| replaced with a wider one, do it. A walk with | | | | dressed people for a reason. Association. You |
| some curve to it is often appealing. One which is | | | | want the things seen on the way to your front |
| wider where it meets the public walk and wider | | | | door to be in good taste and of excellent quality. |
| as it reaches the front steps can look particularly | | | | Fortunately, that doesn’t necessarily mean |
| inviting. If two men can approach your front door | | | | they have to be expensive. Clay pots are good. |
| side by side without jostling each other, your walk | | | | Old iron urns are great with traditional homes. Oak |
| is sufficiently wide. | | | | barrels can look wonderful with rustic homes. The |
| What if you have a narrow walk and a small | | | | addition of a bit of trailing ivy or sweet potato |
| budget? You can improvise with brick, stone, or | | | | vines can be attractive. It’s possible to |
| concrete pavers from Lowes or Home Depot if | | | | achieve a miniature garden by combining several |
| you’re handy and healthy. Choose | | | | sorts of plants in larger containers. |
| whichever material is most compatible with your | | | | Make sure the front door is clean and the paint is |
| house. Dig out the grass on either side of your | | | | in good condition. Be sure it swings on its hinges |
| walk and lay a line of the chosen paving materials | | | | well. It needs to open and close well and firmly. |
| parallel along each side of your walk. Fill in with | | | | The doorknob should work well and not have any |
| mulch (not the colored type, just good earth | | | | “bobble” motion when it’s |
| toned natural stuff, please), sand, or river gravel. | | | | used. Exterior light fixtures should be clean and |
| Make sure there’s a crisp edge where the | | | | free of rust. Front windows should be clean and |
| grass starts. | | | | shining. |
| Large, overgrown shrubs that crowd the house | | | | When preparing to sell your house, make sure |
| and cover windows are a negative. Prune them | | | | you get everything in order. |