When you list a home for sale, buyers check out the online pictures, and many drive by to take a better look. In less than a minute they decide one of two things: that they might come back and walk through or that they’re just going to drive away and cross it off their list.

Or maybe the shopper is seeing your home for the first time at an open house. That first impression is going to stick with them after they walk through the front door. Whether they realize it or not, what they think of the living room, kitchen and bedrooms is colored by what they saw before they came inside.

The first impression is that important. You want a curbside look that’s so enticing buyers just can’t wait to get indoors. Here are nine curb appeal tips to make home shoppers put your home at the top of their list. Of course, these same curb improvements can be enjoyed by your family and guests anytime—even if you aren’t thinking of moving!

1. Look with the Buyer’s Eyes

Stand at the curb and imagine you’re seeing your home for the first time. Can you see the house front or is it obscured by shrubs? Is the lawn neat? Does the home fit in with the neighborhood? Does anything look odd or out of place?

Check it out both during the day and in the evening with some lights on. If you can’t be objective, ask a trusted friend for an opinion.

2. Clear Away Clutter

Just as the living room shouldn’t be chock-full of furniture, the front yard mustn't be overloaded with lawn furniture, overgrown shrubs and statuary. Fix the little things that promote a clutterish appearance: replace broken fence slats, straighten a tilted mailbox, trim trees branches that are close to the house.

Also, hide away odd items or those that reflect your personal tastes. You may love your garden gnomes and flamingos, but many shoppers think they’re a turn-off. If your house is an unusual color, considered repainting to match the neighborhood.

3. Refresh Driveways and Sidewalks

Clean, well-maintained driveways and sidewalks make a home look younger. Fill driveway cracks and reseal if it needs it. Edge the grass along paved surfaces. Pull weeds and kill grass in sidewalk cracks.

Try to keep the driveway clear of cars during shopper visits. The house looks bigger that way. If you know someone is coming, hose the surfaces shortly before they arrive. It makes the property feel fresher and puts lookers in a better mood.

4. Showcase Lawn and Gardens

Now is the time to be especially diligent about keeping the lawn mowed and watered and getting any bare spots filled in. Edge along the sidewalk and curb for a finished look.

A garden is a big curb appeal plus, but it should be a neat one. If you’re a pro, a “busy” garden with lots of colors can be stunning, but for most of us, simpler is better: a few showy perennials, well-spaced, and a few rows of annuals.

The quick trick to a charming garden? Mulch! Mulch nice and thick, rising above ground level. It looks good, smells good and exudes homey comfort.

A few showy flowers in hanging pots add an enticing touch, but remember the rule about clutter: not too many! And try to include the color red somewhere in your floral approach. Just a touch of red is a home stager’s go-to yard-brightener.

Also, a tasteful birdbath or statue is a worthy centerpiece.

5. Brighten the Building

When it comes to value for your upgrade dollar, it’s hard to beat paint. If you can’t get the entire house done, paint just the front. Or at least the front trim. Use a neutral color that fits in with the neighborhood.

If you have siding, give it a power wash. Make sure the shingles are all attached, the gutters are clean and the window caulk lines are neat.

Also, wash all the windows, and don’t forget basement windows in wells. Clean the screens as well.

6. Feature the Front Door

The door should draw people in. Paint it and polish the hardware. If there are screens, wash them and repair any holes. Set out a fresh welcome mat. Make sure the doorbell works.

Matching flowerpots on either side of the door are a charming finishing touch.

7. Perk Up the Porch or Stoop

When you party on a porch, it’s good to have lots of table and chairs. When you show a porch, there should be less. As with a living room, having just a few items makes it easier for buyers to imagine making it their own. One item that does attract favorable attention is a porch swing.

Make sure the stairs are clean and in good repair. On a porch or a stoop, a well-placed pot or two can complete the picture. Also, this is a good place to add that touch of red, either on a chair, a blossom or an item of outdoor decor.

8. Attract with Lighting

People will visit in the evening. If your home is lit up, make the lighting shine. Clean all the glass, polish the fixtures and make sure no bulbs are burnt out. A row of low-voltage solar light along the sidewalk makes the home appear friendly and safe.

9. Look with the Buyer’s Eyes Again

Did you take a “before” picture? Can you see the difference? Is there one item you can add (or subtract!) to make it a dream home?

If you do your homework, it will result in better offers, a quicker sale and a happier selling experience. Plus, you and any other guests to your home will enjoy the brightened porch, driveway and front yard as well!