Spring has arrived in Ohio, inspiring homeowners to roll up their sleeves and get their houses in order. For most of us, that means taking a good look at our home's exterior and deciding what needs to be done in the way of repairs or to boost curb appeal. If you're thinking of listing your home among Beavercreek homes for sale, then you for sure want to spruce up the exterior.

Projects can reach from general cleanup to repairing damage from the winter, to taking on some decorative projects that will improve curb appeal. Have a look at the suggestions below and get started on your exterior outdoor projects.

1. Clean up the exterior.
   It might sound obvious, but you want to go beyond mowing and edging for your spring cleanup. Cut back broken or damaged shrubbery and tree limbs. Rescue paving stones that are covered with mud. Clear out weedy-looking plants or dried stalks from last year's perennial garden. Replant flower beds or go for planters and containers. Add mulch in flower beds to give a finished look. Do the rain gutters need to be cleaned and repaired? How about the windows and screens? Fine-tuning the cleanup will help your house stand out.
   
   
2. Focus on the front porch.
   Now that your home's exterior is clean and in good repair, it's time to focus on the focal point — the front door and the porch. Start by assessing whether a new front door color is in order. If so, you might want to go for something eye-catching and bold, but make sure it complements and doesn't clash with the home's other exterior colors. You can find plenty of good advice online about choosing the right front door color. If you go for a bold new color — say a bright, light blue with a slight slant to the green spectrum — carry that color out in other accents on the front porch, including planters, furniture, or metal stools.
   
   
3. Get creative with container gardening.
   Containers make gardening easy, but you should put some thought into what you plant in them. Certain plants will require large ones; others will be better displayed in medium or small sizes. Mix and match container styles, or carry your color theme through with metal, resin, or clay planters. Containers are a great way to display colorful annuals; when they've done their thing, you can mulch them and replace them with the latest trending annual. You may even want to grow a colorful Meyer lemon tree in a container. The nice thing about containers is you can bring them in for winter.
   
   
4. Cozy up to a firepit.
   There's nothing like building a fire on a cool evening in your very own firepit. Turn off the TV or the computer and enjoy your backyard getaway in a cozy spot (make sure there are no overhead trees!) where you can glance up at the stars. Want to make your own firepit? You can easily do so, perhaps with large stones or cast-concrete curved block. While you may want the simplicity of a wood-burning firepit, you might also opt for gas power.
   
   
5. Spruce up your mailbox.
   Your faded old mailbox can be a palette for your creativity. Go on, give it a whirl. Paint it blue or red, or try out your artistic skills by painting flowers, fave superheroes (the kids will love you), or just a cool design. If your mailbox needs steadying or other repairs, it's not that hard.

Our REALTORS® have tons of tips for getting your house ready to sell. Contact us today.