| Realtors in a nationwide survey say replacing your | | | | Nothing says welcome home like a cheerful front |
| garage door prior to listing your home can | | | | entry. It's an easy affordable way to freshen up |
| increase its demand and help you reach your | | | | a paint scheme without having to repaint the |
| asking price. This may largely be due to | | | | entire exterior. |
| homeowner demand for more storage space | | | | 2. Add new stylish lighting fixtures. Light up your |
| making three-car garages a typical standard and a | | | | doorways, driveway and walkways. Better to |
| major design focal point. | | | | have more lights at lower wattages than one, |
| If you are thinking of upgrading your home's | | | | very bright one. Angle spotlights to highlight trees |
| garage appeal you may want to consider | | | | and bushes, creating a dramatic nighttime effect. |
| something more than a standard steel panel door. | | | | Solar lights that charge during the day are easy |
| According to "Professional Builder" magazine, | | | | to install yourself. |
| designer garage doors are one of the "50 | | | | 3. Use mulch - Rather then leaving your garden |
| Must-Have Features for Today's Home Buyers." | | | | messy and unkept mulch makes landscaping and |
| "We had a seller last fall who replaced existing 70s | | | | garden beds look tidy, crisp and well maintained. |
| style flush panel garage doors with carriage house | | | | 4. Plant lots of flowers. This is always money well |
| style doors and it changed the entire look of the | | | | spent because it adds charm and life to any |
| house," adds Garrett. "It sold for full asking price | | | | exterior. Even if you have never planted flowers |
| the first day on the market and the owners | | | | you will find it is easy to do. Bringing lots of new |
| made a profit. The interior had been upgraded -- | | | | colours to your garden will bring a new life to your |
| but it was the exterior that the buyers fell in love | | | | home. |
| with at first sight." | | | | 5. Re-surface your driveway. Instead of a black |
| Here are some additional garage door changes | | | | top or smooth concrete, consider stained or |
| that might take your home to a new selling high: | | | | stamped concrete patterns. This can do wonders |
| 1. Give your garage door a new layer of paint. | | | | for curb appeal. |