“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”  That’s what the classic Head and Shoulders commercial used to say.  We all know that first impressions are critical when forming opinions about new people.  However, that same rule also applies to your home.  If you’re home is lacking in curb appeal, it’s going to be much more difficult to sell it.

With some simple changes, you can transform your home from one that everyone passes by to one that everyone has to see.  These five easy and inexpensive tips will increase your home’s curb appeal and make you the envy of all your neighbors.

1. Paint the Front Door  

Painting the front door can do wonders for the appearance of a house.  Many homes have a door that just blends into the rest of the house leaving the whole house looking bland and uninteresting.  Adding a pop of color by painting the front door creates an open and inviting feel. Choose a color that is bright but also complements the main color of your home.  Painting your front door costs next to nothing but will make plenty of buyers want to see what’s on the other side of that door.

2. Upgrade the Mailbox

A mailbox may not seem that important but the right mailbox can really add to your home’s curb appeal. If you have the plain black metal mailbox (or even worse…rusted mailbox) on a post that looks like scrap wood, you’re sending the signal that the inside of the house will be pretty much more of the same…plain, drab and the bare minimum.  For a few extra dollars, you can get a stylish mailbox that attracts buyers and makes them want to see the other interesting features of the house.

3. Add Shutters

Shutters open up a house both literally and figuratively.  They add visual interest to the outside of a home and make it stand out among all the other houses around it.  Shutters can make a house look like a home and begin to draw buyers into their American dream.  Adding shutters to the front of your house will amp up the curb appeal and have buyers lining up at your door.

4. Keep a Well Manicured Lawn

When a the first thing a potential home buyer sees is a jungle instead of a front yard, they begin to add up in their mind all the rest of the repairs your house must need.  A house with a messy lawn must be neglected on the inside as well.  At least, that’s what a buyer thinks.  A nicely manicured and well kept lawn shows the future homeowner that this house has been lovingly maintained and is in excellent condition.  That’s a task they’ll want to continue with your house rather than run away from.

5. Add Potted Plants

Strategically placed and brightly colored potted plants and flowers can bring a house to life. The added pops of vibrant colors create a warm and welcoming feel that draw buyers into the home.  They bring a house alive which makes any buyer excited to see more of what your house has to offer.  Just be careful to not go overboard.  Too many plants can turn it into a jungle.  However,  just a few plants and flowers in the right places will create the homey feeling that you’re looking for and buyers want without breaking the bank.

Curb appeal is essential when you’re selling your home.  If it doesn’t catch a buyer’s eye from the start, they’ll never come in to see more of what your house has to offer.  These five easy and inexpensive changes will have them lining up at your door and could mean the difference between a “For Sale” sign in your front yard and one that says “SOLD!”