When you’re preparing to sell your house, you want to do all you can to make it as appealing as possible to potential buyers. Ramping up your home’s curb appeal—the first view visitors have of it from the street—is a critical step. That doesn’t mean you have to invest in expensive renovations or remodeling. There are plenty of small steps you can take to improve your house’s marketability. Find out what they are below.

Address necessary fixes first

Grab a pen and paper and make a list of anything that’s broken that could detract from your home’s curb appeal. RedFin offers some examples, from a broken fence to faulty doorknobs that get stuck. Once you have your list complete, prioritize the required fixes in order of their importance. For example, cracked windows are a major issue, as they let in drafts, are unsightly, and pose a potential security threat.

Once you know what you need fixed, find professionals in your area to get the job done. You can find local pros for window repair via Angi. Note that the national average cost of window repair is $290, but that prices vary according to location and the type of window you need fixed. Before you hire a pro, confirm that they’re licensed and insured, and ask for referrals from former customers.

Spruce up the facade next

Your house’s facade covers a huge surface, so you want to make sure it’s looking its best. Start with the siding. Hire a power-washing professional like Pressure Clean to remove pollen, dirt, and mold from the siding, making it look like new. If the siding paint is chipped and peeling, follow up the cleaning with a fresh coat of color. Also, look at structures at the front of the house like railings and gutters. Are they intact or do they need a revamp?

When assessing the facade, consider the smaller details as well. You can make the entryway look more appealing by adding a fresh welcome mat or installing planters with flowers on either side of the door, for example. Better Homes and Gardens provides additional tips for creating a more friendly entryway, like putting up new house numbers, enhancing the lighting, and repainting the mailbox.

Bring your garden to the next level

A beautiful garden is one of the most aesthetically pleasing elements you can use to make your home’s exterior go from “okay” to “wow.” Start with basic landscaping, like pruning shrubbery and mowing the lawn. Then, add attractive elements like more flowers. You might consider planting an all-seasons flower garden, where something is almost always blooming and adding color to your home.

A vegetable garden is another asset that can be appealing to home buyers, giving them the power to grow some of their own food. When planting a vegetable garden, follow best practices like choosing a spot with sufficient sunlight. This beginner’s guide from Almanac provides all the information you need to create a thriving vegetable garden that can also help enhance curb appeal.

Add value-boosting upgrades

Finally, think of what extra touches you can incorporate into your home’s exterior to take it to the next level. Build Review offers some inspiration, such as building a shed. A gazebo is great for entertaining and can be an asset for many buyers. You might also consider less work-intensive additions, like adding lighting to show off the exterior upgrades you’ve made or repaving an old walkway.

Getting your house ready to sell requires some effort. Don’t expect to get the job done overnight. However, investing some energy and money into sprucing up the curb appeal can reap rewards in the long run, helping you to sell the property faster and for more money.

For more content like this, visit the Pressure Clean website.