Well, almost. But face it, if you can't get the buyer out of the car (or to bookmark your page) they aren't buying your house no matter how wonderful the interior.
First impressions count. Why risk it?
So roll up your sleeves and get to work! Start with a camera, pen and paper. Walk or drive away from your home. Come back with eyes of a buyer. Take a critical look. Do you want to know more about the property or is this one where you say to your agent, "I don't think we need to waste time here?"
What pleased you? What turned you off? Make notes. Take pictures, lots of them. Looking at a picture of your house puts you one step removed thus enabling you to better see what others see.
Each problem will have its own "opportunities" but here are several quick and common curb appeal fixes.
Front door. Is there an outdated screen door blocking the beauty of the door? Can you find the front door or is it hidden behind overgrown shrubs or a clutter of bicycles? Clear away encumbrances. Remove/replace the screen door. A new coat of paint on the door - or a new color - can help. A new doorbell and welcome mat complete the picture.
Front stoop. If you have concrete steps leading to your front door, as do many of the houses in my hometown of Ridgefield, CT, take a close look at their condition. if they are badly chipped or pulling away from the house, consider repairs or replacement. If they are gray and dirty from years of exposure, rent a power washer and give them a good cleaning. Consider facing them with stone or brick.
Walkway. You and your family may always enter through the garage but real estate agents with buyers will use the front door. Can they find their way? Clear weeds off the path, straighten the stones or, if need be, create a path. You' don't need to spend a lot of money, some edging and pea gravel can provide a pleasing path.
Foundation plantings. Have the deer eaten them all? Are they overgrown and covering the windows? Are weeds so interspersed with plantings you can't tell where one begins and the other ends? It may be time to start fresh. Use a garden hose to lay out the shape of a planting bed. Add visual interest with graceful curves. With measurements in hand (length and width of the bed as well as height to the bottom of your windows) see what the local nursery recommends for ease of care, deer proofing, size and amount of sun. A few hundred dollars later you'll have a nice assortment of shrubs and perennials that will brighten the facade of your house. And don't forget mulch! A thick layer of mulch will mitigate weeds, retain moisture and just generally give your plantings a finished look.
Lawn. I have active dogs and a shady front yard so my lawn struggles every year. Chances are you also have bare spots or a lawn that has a few too many "non-grass" plants populating it. I am not going to get into the chemicals vs. natural debate but do take a look at overseeding and generally keeping the lawn trimmed and properly edged.
Garage doors. So many 20-30 year old houses also have 20-30 year old garage doors. Too often they are rotting away at the bottom from years of snow and rain. Consider replacing them or, at the very least, getting a handyman to make repairs. Fresh paint also will help.
My list of suggestions can go on and on but I think you've got the idea. Paint is powerful. So is clearing away the clutter of children's toys, lawn furniture and piles of rotting firewood. neat and tidy is what sells, No one wants another person's mess.