Let’s just say it - if you live in Ames, IA, you’re sick and tired of Old Man Winter.  Great news!  The days are getting longer, the snow has melted, the temperatures are warming and you’re now ready to sell your home in Ames.

But. . . wait, how do you prepare the outside of your home for great curb appeal?  Glad you asked.  I’ve checked out some of the “Dos and Don’ts on Landscaping” on HGTV.com and have some suggestions for you.  Things that will help create curb appeal include hardscaping, enticing walkways/pathways, year round color in plantings, using pots to frame an area, and making smaller spaces seem larger by choosing the right design.

Don’ts include allowing the landscaping to overwhelm your home, starting a landscaping project without a plan, planting too much of the same thing, and planting trees too close to your home so to detract from your home’s attractions.

Ok, don’t let any of these tips scare you when getting ready to sell.  Survey the outside of your home and pick out a couple of things that stand out - good or bad and start there.  A fresh coat of paint, cleaning up the debris collected over the winter can be a great help.  We’re all tired of the dreary, cold snowy days of winter and a little color and cleanup will go along way.

Good luck!  For more suggestions, visit HGTV.com and check out the Landscaping tab.

Come back soon – I’ll mention a few things that can be done to spruce up the inside of your home to make it more attractive to home buyers in the Ames, IA area!  Feel free to give me a call and I’d be glad to help you prepare your home for sale.