Top Ten Ways to Maximize Your Property's Curb Appeal

There are two main goals to maximizing a home's curb appeal:
1.  Remove any "red flags" seen from the curb.
2.  Create an enjoyable trip from the curb to the front door. 

Here are some ideas to consider:
1.  A visible Address is a Must
Make sure the address is clearly visible from the street.  It should also be lit at night, at least while the home is listed.
2.  Maximize the Front Door Appeal
The trip from the street to the threshold should be easy to navigate: ie., no holes in sidewalk, no thorns grabbing you along the way, no cobwebs to go through and no dead plants in pots along the way.  The actual door should be clean and fresh. If there is a screen door it should be in tip-top shape and dust free.  Keep the porch light on and add color and fresh items such as foliage to attract energy towards the door.
3.  Make the Plants work For You
Nothing says "creepy" like ill-maintained plants.  Their droopy appearance tells the story of how life will be if you buy this home!  Plants should be clean, and their droppings picked up.  Plants should not be touching the walls and foundation.  Trees touching the eaves and roof, or vines clinging to the walls take away from the healthy energy of those living in the home.  Happy, healthy and colorfull plants say "someone cares", and "this home is capable of taking care of you".
4.  Have a Clearly Defined Edge between Lawn and Planting Beds
Grass growing in the planted beds not only creates a maintenance problem, but it also gives a poor impression of the home's front yard space.
5.  Use Color to Your Advantage
Color can be an easy way to add energy to a home's curb appeal.  Red attracts, Yellow evokes friendly, clear communication.  Green is simply the color of life and blues are more introverted and quiet - perhaps what a home on a busy street needs.  I would usually not recommend a lot of white.
6.  Balance Offensive Neighboring Buildings and Landscape Issues
If there is a Church, school, commercial building withing the visual "neighborhood", try adding landscape "screening" to block these views.
7.  Clear the Clutter
Extra cars, pots full of dead plants, bikes, garden tools and old holiday decorations (get the lights down!) all need to go.  Trash cans should not be visible from the street.
8.  Check Lighting Levels Both Day and Night
All lighting should be in good working order.  If a home sits lower than the street, consider placing an up light on each corner of the home.
9. Attend to General Maintenance Issues
Pleeling paint, dead spots in the yard, broken pickets in the fence, etc. will not give you that warm and fuzzy feeling as a buyer!  Dripping hoses won't either! The front facade and front yard MUST appear in good working order!
10.  Take the 5 Senses into Consideration
If you can smell the compost pile, it has to go.  If you can hear the train, cure it or any other offensive noise by hanging a chime.