Leaving a good first impression has always been important, so it’s just as important for your home to leave a good impression on a potential buyer before they get a foot in the front door.

Here are six tips to improve your home’s kerb appeal before sale.

Firstly, pretend to be a potential buyer and park your car away from your home. As you walk towards your property, what catches your eye first? Is it something negative or positive? Looking around and see what needs tidying up, from cleaning gutters and windows to mowing the lawn.

Secondly, make sure your backyard is in order, particularly if it’s visible from another street or someone’s driveway, as those interested in your home will do drive bys.

Remove things that are overgrown of affect your homes appeal. If you’re not willing to, you must be prepared to lower the price for a buyer who is willing to put in the hard work.

Planting flowers is an easy way to add impact. Visit your local nursery to find out what is currently in season and plant some in the front yard or in planter boxes on the porch.

Upgrade hardware, such as a new doorknob or knocker if your one is a bit outdated. Adding numbers to your mailbox or next to your door can also be effective. If your front door looks a bit dated, give it a fresh lick of paint, as it is the entrance to the home.

Lastly, string low voltage lighting along your driveway or near important landscaping elements. Not only does this highlight certain features, it also acts as a security feature at night.

This article first appeared in Property Observer.