First impressions are just that – the split second feeling a potential buyer gets when they first lay eyes on your house. If they don’t like the way it looks on the outside, they won’t waste their time. They’ll look elsewhere. And, there goes a lost sale.

Giving your landscaping, a picture-perfect look is one of the most effective ways to not only attract buyers, but get as much as 10 percent more when you sell. If you’re getting ready to put your house on the market, you need to give your home’s curb appeal a critical look.

Chances are, it needs a boost. The good news is that you probably won’t have to spend tons of money to give your landscape an appealing look. You can do a lot of the work yourself. Follow these five tips to get that knockout look your home needs to get buyers through the door.

1. Clean It Up

You’ve lived in your house for a while and it’s likely you don’t actually “see” it the way a buyer would. What looks great to you looks like clutter to someone else. Buyers don’t want to see a bunch of your stuff lying around.

They want a relatively clean slate, where they can envision their own belongings. You may also have overgrown bushes and dead or dying plants around the landscape. It’s time to clean it all up.

If you have a lot of waste to get rid of, consider renting a dumpster. If you’re not sure what size container you require, try an online dumpster size visualizer tool to determine the size that fits your needs.

Remove and store personal items from around the outside of the house, including bicycles, garden tools, and trash cans. Trim and remove plants and shrubs where necessary. Toss landscaping elements, such as borders that look weather-worn. Make sure everything looks neat and clean.

2. Spruce Up What’s Left

If you have outdoor plants in containers, make sure the containers are clean and the plants look healthy. Container plants add interest and are particularly effective when placed at entryways. Shape overgrown bushes and shrubs. Add new mulch to give plant beds a fresh look. If in season, plant flowering plants to add instant color to catch the eye of the buyer. The ideal landscape for selling has an attractive and well-maintained look.

3. Clear Up Outdoor Water Issues

If your yard has outdoor fountains or a pond, remove growth, clear out leaves and clean surfaces. If your outdoor faucets are leaking, fix them. Nothing turns buyers off more than a leaky faucet. Make sure the automatic sprinkler systems work and are in top shape.

4. Beautify the Home’s Exterior

If your home has brick or vinyl siding, clean it with a power washer. Power wash other surfaces as well, including paved surfaces and fences. If you don’t have a power washer, rent one. It’s not expensive and that “clean” look makes a world of difference.

5. Impress With the Front Door

The impact your front door and entryway makes on buyers cannot and should not be ignored. Here is where spending a little money can give you a big return. If you can, spruce up your front door with a paint.

Choose a complementary contrasting color to add spark. If your front door has seen better days, consider purchasing a new one. It’s amazing how much difference a freshly painted or new front door makes. When buyers see a beautiful, new, or nicely painted and maintained door, they immediately get the feeling the home has been well-cared for throughout the years.

Bonus tip: Begin working on your landscape at least a month before you put your home on the market. If you do, you’ll be ready when your real estate agent takes pictures and more than ready when potential buyers come knocking on your door.