When a prospect first drives by your neighborhood and sees your house, that is a first impression. When a prospect arrives at your house for the first time for an appointment after seeing your ad in the paper, that is a first impression.

What is a winning first impression then?

A winning first impression is the difference between whether a prospective buyer wants to follow up and make an appointment to see your house or not after driving by for the first time. A winning first impression is also the difference between whether a prospective buyer really wants to see the rest of your house after arriving for an appointment or just going through the motions and being polite.

How do you give your house that winning first impression?

Here are the top 10 things you should consider:

1) Start with looking at the exterior of your house objectively rather than as your own home. Often we are willing to overlook problems areas with our house simply because as our home, we have gotten accustomed with the way it looks.

2) Stand where a prospective buyer would park when they first drive by and look at the house. Do this both during the day and the evening. What does the house look like?

3) Similary stand where a prospective buyer would walk up to the house when they arrive at the house. Do this also during the day and the evening.

4) For both (2) and (3), take note of what are the strengths of the house and see where you can enhance them more.

5) Similarly for both (2) and (3), take note of what are the weaknesses of the house and see where you can minimize or hide them more.

6) Keep the exterior clean and tidy. This includes: getting rid of any signs of mold, keeping the lawn cut and free of any tools and toys, keeping the trees and bushes trimmed so that they don't hide the house, edging the sidewalks, removing any grass growth between contrete or bricks, cleaning the gutters, cleaning the deck and patio, washing the windows, painting any parts of the exterior of the house that need repainting.

7) Enhance the look of the house in the evening with proper lighting. This includes: running low voltage lighting along the walkway, driveway, sidewalk, walkway, and near any landscaped areas. This also includes: adding or upgrading any lamps or light fixtures that are attached to the house or that may be on the lawn.

8) Enhance the look of the house during the day with proper landscaping. This includes: keep the lawn cut and clean, adding flower beds, rock gardens, trees and bushes, fixtures, and maybe even waterfalls. Use your imagination.

9) Change the door knobs and accessories in the entrance. Maybe even consider changing the front door or entrance area.

10) And last, don't leave anything to the imagination for the prospective buyer. Most prospective buyers are busy enough and would rather look at another house.

Having a winning first impression with the house does not necessarily mean always that you need to have a big budget for the job. Taking into account some of the ideas presented, sometimes a little imagination and hard work will go a long way in giving your house that winning first impression and a better chance of being sold.

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Garry Edwards is with www.topforsalebyowner.com - a free website offering owners listing services and other helpful resources.