At times it has felt as if the season of snow and ice was going to last forever, but finally crocus and snow drops are pushing their way to the surface. The days are longer and warmer. Springtime is around the corner.

If you’ve been entertaining thoughts of selling your home any time soon you are going to want to consider your property’s curb appeal. You want every prospective buyer to be happy to get out of their car and come into your house. It’s terribly discouraging to spruce up the interior of your home and find people are driving away before having had a chance to see all the great things you’ve done inside! What’s more, an appealing exterior signals buyers that they need not worrry about the effects of deferred maintenance.

The National Association of REALTORS® has reported that 49% of buying decisions are based on curb appeal. Creating curb appeal is “outdoor staging.” Some aspects of this are pretty basic; windows should sparkle, paint (preferably in a neutral tone) should be in good condition and the front door attractive and welcoming. It’s wise to trim back foundation plantings to reveal window lines and architectural details of your home. Lawns, whatever their size, need to be neatly trimmed with all the property free of litter and winter debris. Potted plants with blooms that are hardy in early spring or easily moved inside on blustery days are particularly useful at entry ways. Weeding between flagstones and pavers in walkways and the driveway isn’t complicated or too difficult. Plant beds that emerge from under the snow cover can be trimmed out and mulched. (Avoid that harsh looking red mulch, please.)

If your property is particularly high-end and things outside are looking less than manicured, you might want to hire a landscaper to do some re-design and planting. Will you get all the money back on your investment, large or small? Maybe, maybe not, but if you sell quickly you can cut your carrying costs.

Beyond your control, of course, are neighboring properties. Decide if your relationship with an untidy offender is strong enough to ask that they put some effort into cleaning up. You might even offer to help out, physically or financially. Prospects will notice the surroundings, and adjacent homes that are poorly maintained can sabotage a sale.

If you have wonderful pictures of your property in seasons that are particularly colorful be sure to share them with your sales agent. They can be incorporated into marketing materials that interested buyers will be likely to peruse. There are also electronic frames that can rotate your digital images on a screen. That’s not a bad way to distract a buyer from an imperfect view!