7 Easy Steps to Great Curb Appeal

If you are a homeowner envious of your neighbors' immaculate home and yard, know that having the curb appeal of your dreams is easier than you think. Here are 7 fresh ideas to help you achieve beautiful curb appeal for your home. Make your home the envy of all your neighbors without breaking your back or your budget.

Clean the exterior. A fresh coat of paint will spruce up any property and give new life to an outdated style. Consider adding color coordinated shutters for a complete look. Use a pressure washer for an easy way to clean the exterior of your property. Pressure washers can be rented from your local equipment rental store and will quickly blast away year's worth of dirt!

Pay attention to you lawn. A fresh cut yard is a good way to show your neighbors you care about your property. Rent a weed eater or edger to get rid of weeds and trim around walkways, driveways and planter areas. Rake and dispose of your leaves in a timely fashion. Cut back all your bushes to the same size, giving your property a uniform feel.

Plant flowers and trees. Planting can be expensive, but by keeping it simple you can keep it cheap, too. Add colorful, decorative flowers around high traffic areas, like your mailbox. Opting to do the work yourself will save you money. When choosing the right tree, consider trees that will look great all year round. While some trees might have a beautiful bloom, what will they look like in the fall or winter? (And will they lose leaves, adding more work for you?) Other options to consider are fruit trees, which are beautiful and also practical. Sweet smelling trees like honeysuckle are also a beautiful alternative.

Wash your windows. Bright, clean windows will help your home sparkle, by allowing in much needed light. On the contrary, dirty, smeary windows leave a house looking dark. Cobwebs and debris can make a house look neglected and uninhabited. Best of all, cleaning windows costs you nothing other than a little elbow grease!

Dress up your front door. Consider a bold color of paint to grab attention of guests and those driving by. A decorative doorknob will complete the look, while any inexpensive hardware will add a fancy touch to your brilliant sense of style.

Add light fixtures. For an inexpensive flair, add a fancy fixture to your newly painted front door. Lining the driveway with solar lamps adds great character to your home. Any light fixture provides security as well as an opportunity to beatify your home.

Repair fences and decks. In many cases, fences and decks are the first thing people see when judging the quality of your home. Repair any missing boards or wood rot to property fences or decks. Consider power washing for a crisp, clean look, and finish with water seal and a rich stain.

These simple steps should turn any home into a beautiful masterpiece, while keeping it simple enough for any budget. Who knew a weekend project could turn your home into the house that everyone on your block is talking about!