If you had $1,000 to spend on making a good “First Impression,” how would you spend it on this home?  What would you do?

Here are the 8 best things you can do for less than $1,000.

(Picture this:  the buyers’ agent is on the front porch fiddling with the lockbox, then trying to make the key work in the deadbolt.  This episode takes, maybe, 30 seconds or 60 seconds. What are the buyers doing?  Standing there, waiting, looking around, looking around very closely, absorbing that critical first impression.  Please, buy a new welcome mat, new house numbers, maybe a new door latch, sweep the porch, eliminate the cobwebs and dirt dobber nest, clean up the porch light. Make this area sparkle! Get some healthy plants out there! Some “stagers” suggest you paint the front door. Me? I think that’s a bit of a cliche’, but if the front door is really shabby, a coat of gloss may be your quickest, cheapest fix-up.)