Contemplating selling your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home?  Before you even put it on the market, you need to get it in tip-top shape if you want to get tip-top dollar for it.  One of the first (and most important) places to make changes is to the exterior of your home.  First impressions last forever.  You don't have to spend weeks making your home pretty, though.  You can increase your curb appeal in just one weekend.

Keep It Trimmed - That means the lawn, trees shrubs and flowering bushes.  Don't cut the grass too short or you'll lose moisture and actually hurt it.  Check with your local Northern Virginia/South Carolina nursery to see what the ideal length is for the type of grass at your house and keep it at the higher end of the spectrum.  For example, if you have Kentucky bluegrass, it is recommended to keep the blades between 1 1/2" to 2 1/2" in length.  You should try to keep it closer to 2 1/2".  And, trimmings from your trees, bushes and flowers can make beautiful arrangements inside without costing you a penny!

Paint - If the entire exterior doesn't need a refresher coat, consider getting some accent colors for the shutters, trim and front door.  It only costs about $15-$17 per gallon, will only take a few hours to apply and can make an incredible difference in your home's look.

Update the Fixtures - If you don't have exterior lighting at your entryway and/or garage, add some.  Old fixtures can be changed out for newer ones to create an updated look that is much more appealing.  If you can't afford to replace them, consider spray painting them.  Add brighter wattage bulbs for the exterior lights.  Door knockers and even doorknobs are easy to replace as well.  And always make sure the doorbell works if you have one.  Add solar lights along your driveway for a polished look in the evening hours as well.

Bid a Good Welcome - Potted plants and flowers can add a pop of color to an otherwise dreary porch.  Buy a new welcome mat to invite potential buyers into your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home.  Clear any cobwebs or debris from the area.  Even adding a wreath made from your tree trimmings can be a nice homey touch without spending a dime.

Makeover That Tired Mailbox - An old, rusty, beat up and battered mailbox should be replaced.  However, if your mailbox is still in good shape, paint it the same color as your house.  Better yet, use the leftover paint you used on your shutters and front doors to make your mailbox match as well.

Don't Forget the Window Dressing - Add flower boxes to your windows to bring some color and appeal.  Use colors of flowers that compliment your home's paint scheme for a professional look.  If you have empty flower boxes lying around, now is the time to use them.  Store any unused, empty flower boxes.  They look unattractive when sitting by themselves.

Ground Cover - Instead of having just plain dirt in your flower beds, add mulch or wood chips for a completely different look.  They serve another purpose as well: mulch helps the plant beds retain moisture longer.  This will make your plants even healthier.

As you can see, there are several things you can do to increase your curb appeal in just one weekend.  They don't take a lot of time, money or effort either.  If you're considering placing your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home on the market anytime soon, get busy getting it ready for potential buyers to see.  Contact me today to find out what else you should do before you sell your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home.

Gene Mock, your Northern Virginia, South Carolina, Maryland and Washington DC real estate specialist