The Importance of Curb Appeal
A large percentage of home buyers decide whether or not to look inside a house based on its curb appeal or exterior appearance. What they see when they drive by or arrive for a showing sets an immediate impression and often determines if they want to come inside .
First, You Have to Get Detached.  We are all proud of our homes’ but when you are getting ready to sell it, you must detach yourself from the personal feelings and realize this is purely a business transaction. Try to look at our own house in the same way that potential home buyers do. Be able to be objective or ask for and accept criticism from others on potential red flags or issues.
Curb Appeal Exercise The next time you come home, stop across the street or far enough down the driveway to get a good view of the house and its surroundings.
1. What is your first impression of the house and yard area?
2. What are the best exterior features of the house or lot? How can you enhance them?
3. What are the worst exterior features of the house or lot? How can you minimize or improve them?
4. Park where a potential buyer would and walk towards the house, looking around you as if it were your first visit. Is the path clean and tidy? 5. Start making a list of your positive and negative feelings about the property's appearance.
6. Take photos of the home's exterior. 
Evening Appeal is Important. Do the curb appeal exercise again at dusk or just after dark, because it's not unusual for potential buyers to drive by houses in the evening. Lighting is Always a Plus• String low voltage lighting along your drive way, sidewalks, and around landscaping.• Add a decorative street lamp or an attractive light fixture to a front porch• Lighting that's visible through front windows should enhance the home's appearance.
Don't Forget the Rear View. Buyers doing a drive by will try their best to see your back yard. If it's visible from another street or from someone's driveway, it should be addressed as well.
 Curb Appeal Starters Kill mold and mildew on the house, sidewalks, roof, or driveway. Pressure wash siding and decks.
Keep sidewalks and driveways clean. Stow away unnecessary garden implements and tools. Clean the windows and gutters. Mow the lawn regularly. Get rid of weeds. Rake and dispose of leaves, even if your lot is wooded. Edge sidewalks. Trim tree limbs that are near or touching the roof. If you can budget it, a fresh paint job does wonders. Even replacing doorknob hardware or repainting the door will give your home a ton of curb appeal

Ways to scare away Buyers
1. Odors House odors are number one turn off for home seekers, specifically odors from cigarette smoke, pets and mildew. Be sure to get an opinion from someone who does not live in your home (you may be used to and not realize it) and if they feel you have an odor, be sure to get rid of the smell.
2. Animals/Dogs You'll have a much better response from showings if you control your pets as they often frighten and/or irritate people.Asking a potential home buyer to not go into a room because an animal is locked in there also raises a red flag as it does not allow that person to see or inspect that part of the home. Remove pets during showings if possible to show respect for the feelings of potential buyers.
3. Dirty Bathrooms Grimy bathrooms are an instant turnoff. Scrub them, paint them, buy a new shower curtain, rugs and towels..
4. Dimly Lit Rooms Dark homes are a turnoff to most home buyers.
 Here are some potential fixes:  Replace dim light fixtures, install additional light fixtures ,Install (quality) sun tunnels or skylights, remove heavy drapes, repaint some rooms with colors that reflect light, trim tree limbs that shadow the house 
 5. A House Full of Busy Wallpaper This is another critical issue to think about if you're selling a home, because busy wallpaper in every room turns off most buyers, and even people who love wallpaper rarely like what you've chosen. Your home should appeal to the masses and wallpaper is usually a very personal preference. Decide if it should be removed and replaced with paint. Don't paint over it, because that usually enhances every seam and looks terrible.
6. Poor Curb Appeal You must grab their interest from the curb if you want to sell the home for top dollar. Buyers often refuse to go into a house with an unkempt yard, sagging doors, peeling paint or overrun gutters makes buyers wonder what else hasn't been handled.
7. Sellers Who Hang Around for Showings Give potential buyers space. If possible, leave the house during showings. Home buyers feel awkward about opening closet doors and lingering for a really good look at the house if the seller is there. They may also feel distracted and rushed.

Parting Words Most of the problems are home selling issues you can correct without spending a lot of money. Do it now, before you put the house on the market, because if your house develops a reputation among agents as the house that smells, the house with the huge barking dog or the house where the owner won't leave people alone it will be too late. Your house will be last on their list to show potential buyers.