"attractiveness of the exterior of a residential or commercial property - used as an indicator of the initial appeal of a property to prospective buyers" Source: wikipedia

Even without an economic downturn and all the problems in the current housing market, it is important that anyone trying to sell their house presents it in the best possible light. But while many people understand that the interior should be uncluttered, clean and tidy, the outside areas can often be overlooked.

It is thought that a large percentage of prospective buyers will make up their mind in the first 15-30 seconds of seeing a house. It is therefore essential that you make sure that the first impression of your house is a good one! Here are our top tips for improving the curb appeal of your home without spending a fortune.

1. Get your broom out! Whether you have a large lawned front garden or just a front step onto the pavement, there is no excuse for not making sure it is as tidy as possible. Pick up any stray litter, sweep the front step and collect any fallen leaves. You will be surprised at the difference it makes.

Cost: £0

2. Make the most of the front door. Both wooden and Upvc doors should be washed down well and have the door furniture (handles, letterbox, etc) and any glass polished. If you have a wooden door, and it is looking a bit tatty, repaint it with a rich, dark gloss colour (dark red, green, etc). If you live in a period property, consider adding a knocker to the door for that extra period feel.

Cost: Under £20

3. Make your windows shine. It goes without saying that any cracked glass should be replaced, but you should also consider replacing any loose putty, repainting window frames and sills (if they are wooden) and cleaning the glass with a proper glass cleaning product (to avoid streaks). If you have net curtains, make sure they are in good order and if so, wash them. If not, replace them.

Cost: Under £20 (assuming no glass needs replacing...)

4. Do some gardening. Even if you are not at all green fingered, you should spend some time on the garden. Make sure any lawn area is mown, trim back hedges, pull out the weeds from the flower beds and tidy up any planters or flowerpots. If your flowerbeds are looking a bit bedraggled, you can pick up a tray of plants (begonias, etc) for a few pounds. Pull out the old plants, turn the soil with a fork or spade and get some fresh colour in there (this depends on the time of year, obviously). Try to do this several days before any potential buyers arrive to look around and it will look much more natural than when freshly planted.

Cost: Under £20

5. Make the most of what you have. Even if you only have a small area of concrete outside your front door, you can still make it look appealing. Buy a couple of Bay Trees to go either side of the front door in some nice planters (ok, so nothing new there, but they can still look great!) and invest in some window boxes. A couple of small Bay Tre...

Click here to read more from DIY Extra