(NC)-By now we've all heard the old adage about the importance of curb appeal. If you can't get potential buyers in the door, good luck selling your home. This is especially true today with so many homes competing on the market. Home staging has become a popular trend for interior spaces, but according to experts, the same care needs to be applied to the exterior.
 

"Home buyers weigh the outside impression of a home as much as the inside, especially when surfing real estate websites and online images of homes," explains Priscilla Bergeron, Assistant Brand Manager for Sikkens, the industry leader in wood protection. "You only have one chance to make a first impression. By spending a little time and money on the outside, potential buyers may be more inclined to give your home a second look, and hopefully, a better offer."
 

According to Bergeron, the first step in giving your outdoor spaces the important face lift they need is to update your outside woodwork weathered by the sun, rain and snow. "You can give a high end look to your front porch, window trim, doors, siding and backyard deck with premium wood finishes. They provide a rich, professional touch to all exterior projects, while preserving and protecting the wood from the effects of weather and aging," she adds.
 

Home decks return about 70 per cent of their original cost back to homeowners when a house is sold, according to Remodeling Magazine's annual Cost vs. Value Report, but that's only when the decks are kept in top shape.
 

To bring weathered wood finishes back to life, Bergeron recommends applying high end wood finish products to give a beautiful rich and professional look to your woodwork that will seduce potential home buyers.
 

She points out that Sikkens products are available in translucent, semi-transparent and solid wood finishes and in a variety of different colours. To please a wider array of potential buyers, Bergeron recommends opting for more traditional colours. Translucent products give a rich, glamorous and professional look to any house.

Once the woodwork has been updated you can now stage your deck, patio or poolside, like you would indoors. "Whether your home's style is modern minimalist, country, or traditional, your outdoor décor should be a reflection and an extension your home's interior to achieve a seamless look," she explained.
 

This can be accomplished with the choice of outdoor furnishings and accessories which should look fresh, new and vibrant. Newer furnishings and planters in carefully chosen colours will help keep your outdoor spaces looking up-to-date and contemporary. Further define your deck or patio by setting a table with colorful outdoor dinnerware. For your porch, consider a bistro table and chairs to help welcome buyers into your living space.

More information is available online at www.sikkens.ca.