Creating curb appeal in the dead of winter is achievable

While you can't rely on nature's resplendence, with the tree branches bare and the rest of the garden in sleep mode, you can create a warm inviting outdoor landscape that'll put your home's best face forward. 

First, nothing says 'I care about my home' more than a tidy exterior. Rake the lawn thoroughly and trim all trees and perennials. Also, clear out all of the spent annuals and trim out-of-control vines. Sweep the gutters where the road meets the sidewalk and pull out all weeds that like to crop up through the concrete and asphalt. If there are outcroppings, such as leaves and sticks, from the eavestroughs, clean out those too.

Put away the hoses, bicycles, toys and any other clutter that's accumulated around the house through the summer.  

Consider planting some winter flowers, if your climate permits. Even in winter, plants such as honeysuckle, snowberry, winter jasmine, fountain grasses, cabbages and lambs ear can add life and colour to your exterior. Evergreens, holly bushes and yews can also be put in planter pots and stand up well even when the snow flies. 

For your window boxes that now lay bare, consider filling them with winter greenery such as cedar branches, euonymus, holly and birch bark twigs. Add colourful berries and inexpensive craft-store finds such as grapevine stars, sparkly sticks or ribbons. Just be sure to plunk them in the dirt of the planters before it freezes.

Replace burned out bulbs and ensure all exterior lighting is in working order. Adding additional lighting such as solar lamps, spotlights or rope lighting may help brighten up pathways and cheer up entranceways when the days become shorter.

Tasteful, frost-resistant metal or concrete sculptures add year-round sculptural interest to your grounds and make an artistic statement. They'll become more of a standout feature in winter.   

The simplest and perhaps most important thing you can do is shovel the snow off the driveway and sidewalks leading up to the house. And it's a good idea to keep your home's patios and decks clear of snow too so buyers can get a sense of their true size.

Dress up the front door too. Paint it with a jolt of eye-catching colour and put on a stylish wreath or decoration.

Simple changes like these will make a great first impression.