Whether or not you're getting ready to list your home for sale, maintaining your home's curb appeal is important.  To make your home's exterior shine, think about following the same decluttering and staging principles you would use to spruce up the interior.

Get an outsider's view.  Take a walk across the street to get an overall first impression of your property.  Is the lawn unkempt?  Are the hedges unruly? Assess the windows-are they cracked or dingy?  Repair any cracks or dings on the panes and sills and make them shine with a thorough cleaning.

Color coordinate.  Consider planting or adding to a garden with bright florals. If you can't revamp your entire exterior, i.e. a new paint job, consider repainting the front door to make it stand out, and replace existing hardware such as doorknobs or locks for a new feel.

Consider all angles.  Prospective homebuyers are going to check out your house from all sides, including the backyard.  Make sure any oudoor elements - the patio, pool, deck, shrubbery--look just as inviting as the front entrance.  If you have a patio, be sure furniture is up to date with clean cushions and no scratches or hasty repair jobs, and make sure the look matches the rest of the decor.