Real estate professionals say this year’s market is favoring sellers because of a lack of inventory. One way to make a home stand out amid the competition is to have good curb appeal, says Leona Piro of Act Two Home Staging in Mendon, N.Y. Buyers often make a decision on whether to tour the home based on what it looks like on the outside, so Piro recommends pulling out all the weeds and mulching heavily, and then planting flowers in beds or in decorative pots or urns. “How you maintain the exterior translates in people’s minds to how the inside of the house is maintained,” she says. Piro also advises giving attention to the front entrance, which is the first place buyers see when touring a home, by placing a new mat or a spring wreath. It is also important for house numbers to be visible, so homeowners may consider investing in larger, easily recognizable numbers. Front porches should be staged as well with such furniture as comfortable wicker chairs and a small table to make it look inviting. “It’s a bonus room for buyers,” she says. | Read More