The secret to selling a home lies not in how sound the structural foundations of a home are (although it does matter, but that is usually brought up later on), but on how pimped up the exterior is.

It may sound really superficial but it is, to some extent, true. Home buyers do not go to real estate agents and ask which home has the most solid foundation or which one has the least leaky set of pipes. When they approach agents, they first find out if there is a house that suits their requirements; and then they will go out to see if the house is the one they want.

Since the acid test relies on visual appeal, you have to pimp up your home and make it look like the daddy mack of all houses. Its really not that difficult to make the exterior of your home pleasing to the eyes. You just have to watch out for possible eye-sores and attend to these immediately.

If you want to attract buyers the same way James Bond attracts the ladies, you have to check your home from head to toe (roof to sidewalk)

1. Check the hair (your homes roof). If your roof has shingles, make sure that the entire roofline is properly covered with no traces of lose or broken tiles.

2. While youre up there, check the gutters. These should be intact and in good working order (not drooping nor leaking). It would be a good time to clean these and remove leaves or dried branches.

3. Next, focus on the body. Are all the walls properly painted? Are there any loose wall panels? Check the windows: are they all scrubbed? Are the shutters working? How about the doors: has the hardware been shined? Are the colours coordinated? Give the body of the house as much attention as you would do your own.

4. Now you can focus on the grounds. The grounds should be as clean as the edifice itself. It should be free from unnecessary debris or clutter such as doggie dishes, rakes or way ward leaves. The lawn should be mowed and the trees and hedges trimmed. If you have a fence or a gate, these should be in good condition as well.

5. Finally, accessorize. No, this doesnt mean putting fine china on your outdoor set. Just make sure that all exterior lights are working, and that you have adequate decoration outdoors. Having plants line your driveway, or ensuring that the mailbox by the sidewalk is clean and functioning properly may seem insignificant, but these matter.

Getting the buyers to step out of their car is the first and probably most important step. Once youve gotten their attention and have brought them inside, you can impress them further with the stuff that really matters.