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Anyone looking to buy or sell a home should be familiar with the term 'curb appeal.' It is used by realtors to refer to a home's appeal and ability to attract buyers. Unfortunately, too many of those who have their homes on the market either do to know what 'curb appeal' is, or do not care. Unfortunately, ignoring this important aspect can loose the seller precious time and money, and can be the deciding factor between a quick sale and a long stretch of time on the market. Curb appeal is the general overall impression that your home makes on a potential buyer when they first drive up to it. It's the special features that set your home apart form the others in your area, where it is likely that hundreds of other houses compete with it for the buyers attention. It isn't hard to increase your curb appeal. Landscaping is a critical place to start. Simple gardens with healthy plants and flowers are a small investment in the beauty of your home which will bring exponential rewards. Your lawn is the first thing people see when they look at your home and should be well attended to. A beautiful lawn will give buyers a great first impression. This is practical as well as attractive, because the better shape the yard is in the less money buyers will have to spend fixing it. If the lawn is in terrible condition, the negative impression it leaves can color the whole house showing. So, before you put your home on the market, spend some time and put some effort into fixing any problem areas in your lawn and garden. Pull weeds, fertilize, re-seed or sod if necessary, and make sure you attend to regular lawn maintenance once you get things in good shape. Shrubs and decorative trees are an affordable way to add value to your property as well as providing shade, privacy, and beauty to your landscape. It is important to look for drought resistant landscaping options such as Palms, Bougainvilleas, and hibiscus. These are ideal for a Florida Climate, and they also do not require frequent watering. Be sure to choose trees and shrubs that fit the sunlight patterns on your property. Some plants require full sunlight, while other partial or even full shade. A good way to tell what a plant requires is to look at where the plant is placed in the nursery, and then duplicate that environment on your own property. Flowers are another way to add beauty, color and appeal to your landscaping. Varieties such as Jasmine and Gardenia add an ambiance of wonderful fragrance from their graceful blossoms. When deciding which flowers would be best for your property, remember the importance of sunlight requirements. Flowers tend to be more delicate than trees and shrubs, and more sensitive then they are to the sunlight and soil conditions. Perennials are the most cost effective, and since they return year after year, they can provide years of vibrant color long after annuals have died off. Also popular with buyers as decorative fountains, small pools, and ornaments... but only if they are tasteful and sparingly used. No pink Flamingos or whirling windmills, please! Mulch is the landscaping element that brings everything together. Most landscape architects use mulched flower beds with pathways winding in between. Using cedar adds a polished appearance to your property. It also prevents weeds and repels insects while offering protection for the roots systems of delicate plants. It is an easy and inexpensive way for even beginner to add classic appeal to their property, and can be picked up at most nurseries and home improvement stores. Landscaping is one of the easiest ways to add the elusive 'wow' factor to your home and set it apart from the other homes on the market. A well- manicured lawn, beautiful mulched gardens, and well placed trees will give your home the kind of curb appeal that not only draws people to view your home, but lingers on as they inspect the interior and can lead to the kind of speedy offers that every home seller hopes for.