Hi everyone,

Where did the year 2006 go? Can you believe we are starting another year? Fresh New Year always gives the promise of new beginnings, or another chance to achieve our goals. New Years resolutions are abounding everywhere and this is the time of year the gyms and diet centers love. I know I will be visiting one or both of them. Yikes!!!

This is a great time of year to think about getting your home ready for sale. The spring market usually starts around the first of March and you want to be ready, don't you? The economic forecasters are very encouraging for the year and say home sales and the stock market both are headed for an upward spiral. So let's get to work getting our houses ready for the boom...

It's true what they say about "first impressions," especially when it comes to your home. For a home, first impressions are considered "curb appeal." With the warmer weather, it is time for working in the yard, planting flowers, painting, and general landscaping - all the components for boosting curb appeal. Having good curb appeal not only makes you feel good about home, it also shows pride in ownership.

This really helps when it comes to selling your home. A home that is visually appealing from the street will bring attention to the "For Sale" sign. Attracting potential buyers with curb appeal will give the advantage of a good first impression, and a better chance to sell your home quickly.
There is no second chance for a first impression.

Whether you are planning to put your house on the market or you just want to freshen the look there are a lot of inexpensive ways to transform the humdrum appearance of your house into one with curb appeal.
Some inexpensive things you can do around the yard to get that curb appeal include:
. Clean debris from around trees and shrubs.
. Trim shrubs and low-hanging tree branches.
. Remove large, overgrown or straggly shrubs.
. Keep grass freshly cut.
. Edge around all sidewalks and steps.
ü Add new mulch to all garden areas and around shrubs and specialty trees.

Once you have the yard looking good, it's time to work on the house. You want the house to have a clean, fresh look. From the street to the front door, every thing in eyesight should be clean and appealing to
the eye.
 Here are some tips:
 Replace that old mailbox.
. Clean all windows, inside and out.
. Replace that old front porch light.
. Replace or repaint the front door.
. Replace the front door knob.
. Clean or repaint outside walls and trim.
. Clean and repair sidewalks and steps.
.. Clean and repair driveway.
. Clean and repair gutters and down spouts.
. Clean the roof.
. Clean or paint fences and gates.

These cosmetic changes do not have to be expensive, but having every thing clean and fresh will help you get a good return on your investment. You might want to contact a certified house inspector and have your home inspected before you put it on the market.

 Having this done will give you peace of mind and limit any time consuming surprises.

Starley Cannon