The next time you come home, stop across the street  to get a good view of the house and its surroundings.

1. What is your first impression of the house and yard area?

2. What are the best exterior features of the house or lot? How can you enhance them?

3. What are the worst exterior features of the house or lot? How can you minimize or improve them?

 Look around  as if   this were your first visit. Is the outside clean and tidy? What could you do to make it more attractive?

  Make a list of the problem areas you discovered. Tackle clean up and repair chores first, then put some time into projects that make the grounds more attractive.

• Kill mold and mildew on the house, sidewalks, roof, or driveway.

• Stow  garden implements and tools.

• Clean windows and gutters.

• Edge sidewalks and remove vegetation growing between concrete or bricks.

• Mow the lawn. Get rid of weeds.

• Rake and dispose of leaves, even if your lot is wooded.

 Most buyers cannot visualize changes, and often won't take a second look at a house if the first look doesn't appeal to them. Home buyers who can visualize changes, and are prepared to make them, expect you to reduce the price of the house to compensate for the work they plan to do.

 If you brainstorm, you'll find that there's a solution to most problems—one that lets you stay within your budget. The trick is to find the areas where improvements are needed, then work on them as best you can.