May 14, 2008 // Franchising.com // - A home and its accompanying property are probably the largest investment that an individual will make. And in order to realize an optimum price for the property of the first priority should be to maximize the home's curb appeal. NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Columbus offers these helpful steps.
The first step is to clean up. This is often one of the least expensive yet most significant things you can do to improve the look of your home. Pick up the front yard, put away unused items such as lawn furniture, children's toys or other random items, and clean up the driveway.
Second, clean the landscape that is seen upon entering the property. Cleaning the landscaping is a relatively easy step. Start by pruning trees and shrubs to enhance their beauty and to create the appearance of order for the property. Adding trees to the yard will create focal points. Tall shrubs can frame and accent interesting features of a house and yard, and conceal unsightly areas. New flowers in the foreground are a sure way to bring a yard to life.
Third, houses with siding or pressboard should be washed. This can be done by the homeowner if they can work safely from the ground or a ladder as long as they have experience using a pressure washer. Otherwise, it may be safer to hire a pressure washing service.
Fourth, if cleaning doesn't revive the building's exterior, a fresh coat of paint may be called for. Since painting can be expensive and time consuming, owner's may want to consider painting just the trim.
The fifth step in improving curb appeal is to address the front lawn. The front lawn carpets much of the front yard, so its condition is critical to how a house looks from the street. Start with regular mowing, raking, edging, weeding, and watering. If necessary, seed the thin areas, fertilize, de-thatch, or aerate it to get it looking great.
Sixth, create focal points by adding front yard gardens, small fences, arbors, and/or water features. This type of addition creates a distinct character, and visual interest to your front yard.
Seventh, the walkway and/or steps that lead to front door can do more than provide safe passage. They can set the tone for a home's style. Brick, concrete, stone, or decorative pavers may be the choice. Lining the walkway with orderly low shrubs or blower will also create a positive impression.
Eighth, small things can make a big difference. The mailbox, house numbers, hardware on the front door, front light, and potted plants on the porch all present a relatively inexpensive but high impact. Also, the front door to home should be in perfect shape. If it isn't, either refinish or replace it.
The ninth step is to put cars in the garage. Many people use the garage as a storage room and park their cars in the driveway where they clutter the view of the house. It also can create the impression of disorder.
Last, but certainly not least, light the way. Outdoor lighting provides an effective way to highlight a home and its yard features in the evening hours. The front yard should have functional path and front porch lighting as well as accent lighting to help create dramatic effects. For custom lighting design with safe and reliable lighting fixtures use a professional outdoor lighting company. Their training and experience will help the homeowner to accent the best features of the house and property.
NiteLites Franchise Systems sole business is outdoor lighting for residential and commercial properties. The company installs high quality, energy efficient, specification grade low voltage fixtures and transformers which are manufactured to their exact specifications.
For more information or to schedule a lighting consultation with NiteLites of Columbus Outdoor Lighting, visit their web site at www.nitelites.com/columbus_outdoor_light , or call 614-448-3334. NiteLites Outdoor Lighting toll free number is 1-866-NITELITES (1-866-648-3548).
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