by Nicki Campbell

I like to walk around my neighborhood four or five days out of every week.  I have been doing it for years and I know every house in the neighborhood -- or at least the front of every house! 

It is interesting to see how different people value the exterior appearance of their home.  On the one extreme will be the beautifully landscaped home with stone-edged planters, a meticulously manicured lawn and gorgeous flowers.  On the other side will be the house with un-mowed grass plus crabgrass, beds full of weeds and overgrown shrubs and trees.  Perhaps the trim needs painting and the driveway is full of cars.

Sometimes there is a good reason an owner lets his property go;  a serious illness or death in the family or severe financial problems come to mind.  But often, the curb appeal of their home is just not a priority -- until they go to sell their house. 

Unfortunately, their lack of attention to the outside of their property is affecting everyone else's real estate values.  One or more of their neighbors are trying to sell their own homes right now and the impression made by the entire neighborhood has a huge effect on the length of time these homes are on the market and the prices they will bring.

If you are one of those people who procrastinate on your front yard and home exterior, here is what you should do.  Stand across the street (maybe with a friend or neighbor) and take a critical look at your home.  Make a list of everything that needs to be done and decide who can do it.  If it seems to be too much for you or your children, consider hiring a local gardener or even a teenager in the neighborhood.  Keeping the lawn mowed and watered, the beds weeded and edged and the bushes and trees trimmed will go a long way to improving the overall appearance of your home.  If you can, hire a landscaper to design a plan that you can work on each year.  And don't forget to paint the woodwork -- maybe even update the color of the trim or the front door.

If you don't want to do it for yourself, do it for your neighbors!

If you need advice on what to do with the outside of your home, or suggestions of local landscapers or gardeners, please call us at 614-431-9111!