Curb appeal basically means that if a buyer drives past your house at 5 or 10 m.p.h., the front of the place should be alluring enough for that buyer to stop the car. If the job was done properly, the buyer should then get out of the car and write down your information.

According to the National Association of Realtors, "curb appeal" sells 49 percent of all houses. Relax...you, too, can achieve curb appeal for your home - whether you have a city townhouse with no front yard or a suburban house on a well-landscaped acre of land.

Interior Improvements - Minimum or no cost

1. Wash all windows inside and out.  Curtains and drapes should be fresh and attractive.
2. Open all drapes, pull up shades, and let the light in.
3. Get all bugs and flies out of all the light fixtures.  Wash fixtures and bulbs.
4. Put higher watt bulbs in all fixtures for better lighting.
5. If possible, keep cats, dogs, birds and other pets out of the way.  Over 50% of home purchasers are either allergic to, afraid of, or simply dislike animals.
6. Clean all rubbish out of all fireplaces, particularly the ones you haven't lit in the last three years.
7. Put two coats of off-white paint over the chartreuse, tangerine, purple, or dark colored walls.  Also, if walls are dirty, one coat of white paint will work wonders.
8. Remove every bit of grease from the inside of the oven and burner trays and wipe down the exterior of all appliances.
9. Fix the front doorbell, storm door and front entry.  First impressions are lasting.
10. Shampoo carpeting
11. Put new washers in all dripping faucets.
12. Throw away the torn and stained shower curtain, and put up a new one.
13. Remove unwanted items from the attic, basement, closets, and tool shed.  Have a garage sale and trash the remaining.
14. Organize closets.
15. Turn of all blaring stereos and television sets while the house is being sold. Soft music is more desirable.
16. Water all dying plants or get rid of them.
17. Adjust all doors, including closets, and windows so they can be opened and closed easily, plus oil squeaky doors and tighten door knobs.
18. Dust, clean and scrub everything - that means EVERYTHING - from attic to  the basement.
19. Replace broken tiles on walls or floors and re-paste loose or dangling wallpaper.
20. Make the beds and keep all clothes out of sight.
21. Keep kitchen countertop and sink clean and clear.
22. Secure all banisters and handrails.
23. Remove all posters and adhesive from walls and doors.
24. Paint the basement floor and walls if needed. If basement shows signs of any water or structural problems, a structural engineer's report is suggested.
25. Replace worn out wall-to-wall carpeting with neutral colors.
26. Remove excess extension cords and exposed wires to lamps and fixtures.
27. Replace all broken screens, cracked window panes, faulty light fixtures, loose basement stair steps and anything else not in good working condition.
28. Clear stairways and hallways, and store excess furniture.
29. Smile!!

Exterior Improvements - Minimal or no cost.

1. Rake leaves, mow lawn and keep edges neat. Lawns and flowers should be weeded regularly. Trees and shrubs should be pruned and trimmed.
2. Remove old lawn mowers, tractors, disabled autos, broken lawn ornaments, topless tables, armless lawn furniture and seatless chairs. They are reasons for a buyer to make a U-turn.
3. Hoses should be coiled or placed inconspicuously when not being used, other garden equipment should be stored in some type of shelter when not in use.
4. A yard should be free from unnecessary clutter, a place should be provided for children's toys and equipment. All animal litter should be removed daily.
5. Fix the garage door so it opens and closes. House and garage doors should be free from finger marks. Wood surfaces should be kept painted, oiled or stained.
6. Porches, steps, verandas, balconies, patios and other extensions of the home must be uncluttered, clean and repaired.
7. Shades and awnings in good repair with colors unfaded will improve exterior house appearance.
8. Keep garbage cans deodorized and out of sight or placed inconspicuously.
9. Walks and entrances should be well maintained and free from excess water, ice and snow. Put some crushed stone on walkways and driveways that turn muddy in the rain and fill in any pot holes.
10. Keep gates, fences, walls and outer buildings repaired and painted.
11. Outdoor furniture should be kept clean. Firewood should be neatly stacked. Barbecue grill should be cleaned.
12. Metal accessories (door knobs, door knockers, lamps, etc.) need to be cleaned and polished.
13. Attach the downspouts to the gutters and paint, if needed. Any loose roof shingles, tiles, etc. should be secured or repaired.
14. Paint the front, back and side entrance doors. Nothing looks worse than a peeling door.
15. Buy a new mailbox without graffiti on it.
16. Remove the half-dozen, slightly tilted, multicolored "For Sale" signs.
17. Paint the exterior if needed or make a price adjustment to accommodate the requirement.
18. Paint all chimneys and replace broken brick or stone.
19. If the roof leaks, fix it! Remove any or all evidence of leakage by whatever means possible.

You might have chuckled or frowned after reading the above list.  Trivial as they may seem, these "little things that mean a lot" might be the difference between turning on and turning off the buyer you have been waiting for.