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economist suntribune real estate saturday aug 3 2002 creating curb appeal helps in the long run some people call it window dressing but adding visual appeal to the exterior of a home can work wonders for both buyers and sellers when selling a home often its how well it shows on the outside that determines whether the inside ever gets seen the out side of a home tells a potential buyer a lot about what they might find inside if the dri veway is cracked shutters are broken the paint is chipping grass and flowerbeds are overgrown few buyers will be attracted how well a home shows will also influence the final sale price a fresh coat of paint minor repairs sparkling windows a wreath at the door and a bright border of flowers may be all you need to create some quick curb appeal investing just a few hundred dollars on sim ple fixups can increase the value of your home by several times that amount making your home look more attractive doesnt always require major improvements if you are selling dont go overboard with major repairs landscaping or decorating when submitting an offer to purchase most prospective buyers will take into account major faults like an old roof or windows that need replacing imagination not money is the key to sim ple fixups sure new railing or a new front verandah might add a lot of curb appeal but at a lot less cost so will a couple of wicker chairs and potted flowers by the front door before you make any changes walk out to the curb and take a close objective look at your home study the view from different angles ask friends and neighbors for their unbiased opinions whats appealing about john laud associate broker your neighboumood agent your neighbourhood agent in union villemarkham bus905 4770011 cell 416 7166622 rimbcaiistars realty inc on winpax realty inc 2001 masters hall of fame centurion award winner dennis new price 16th48 del 2 storey 4 bdrms ealin kitchen wo patio main floor laundry access to garage frpl in fam ily room sss upgraded only 31900n0 chu sales representative wwwdennischunet wwwdennischucom experience exposure flexible commission 416490- 905 470- 8000 7890 your home and whafs not so appealing then identify areas that can use a small facelift what can you do to improve the appearance if the exterior roof gutter walls driveway garage and yard look dirty and untidy chances are youre not going to get a lot of potential buyers knocking at the door first impressions begin on the outside and peel ing paint untrimmed shrubs broken doors and windows loose screens and railings dont make a home look very inviting to make your home more attractive and inviting at low cost consider the following tips repair any minor damage yourself things like replacing a few roofshingles repairing loose hingee on windows and doors fixing storm doors and- window screens caulking window exteriors clean ing and repairing sidings and other structur- aj flaws are all easy to do home improvement centres are a good place to go for advice glean up the yard mow the awn trim the hedges weed the flower beds get rid of dead trees and shrubs and broken lawn furniture shovel the walk and driveway in winter and always rake the yard before winter sets in get rid of clutter if you have yard and construction debris piled up along the side of your home or elsewhere get rid of it the exterior should be as uncluttered in appearance as the inte rior this includes cleaning out the garage a major breeder of clutter be ruthless if you havent used something in a year give it to charity or recycle it spruce up siding before rushing to paint siding try washing it for painted wood siding and aluminum siding use a solution of one cup strong detergent and one quart chlorine bleach in three gallons of water be sure to wear rub ber gloves goggles and other protective garments work from the bottom up and rinse thoroughly to clean vinyl siding hose it down sponge it with a mild liquid deter gent then rinse brighten up with paint a simple paint job can do wonders for the exterior of a home to make a low house look more graceful and tall from the curb emphasize its vertical features by painting elements such as doors shutters and corner trim in a color that contrasts with the siding material you can also make a tall house look lower by using a contrasting paint colour on win- dowsills and fascia boards by painting it a dark colour provided that the roof is dark too in the same way you can use a light anddark colours to make a home look larg er i flower power wellplaced flowers trees and shrubs can really make the outside of a home look invit ing attractive landscaping can also increase the value of a home as much as 10 per cent even without major landscaping flowers can make a yard look colorful and pleasant plant them in garden beds hang them from railings and porch ceilings or add flower boxes to windowsills this article is provided by local realtors and the ontario real estate association orea for the benefit of consumers in the real estate market 5j tillihilisi rail mmmn yi v- country v 056 nearly ibdo square feef of custojiitiaiity pslcts of rolling lawn shadesreest 4 hdbns 4 baths main fir laundry library viith oak floors french doors gourmet kitchenfwith builtin appli ances walkoutuppei deck full unspoiled walkout basement with r- in bath 9 ceilings cournice mouldings oak trimv central air vac main floor family room with gas fire- v place 3 car garage 689000 r4imxvstriktpil sfp7vticrrswcre y vlfm 1 p 4taj w jwwmfcwfiwirrfc u