Real estate agents often talk about the importance of curb appeal—that subjective, intangible quality that has buyers thinking emotionally rather than logically. We've all experienced it: you know, that singular moment when you drive up to a home and it's love at first sight. Something about it has your heart beating just a little bit faster. Perhaps it's the way the home sits on the property, or the mix of clapboard and fieldstone, the expanse of grass carpeting, the stately columns, the boisterous symphony of greenery and brilliantly colored flowers. Something calls to you and you respond, "Yes. This is it. I don't care what the inside looks like. I want it." That's curb appeal.

Curb appeal extends to neighborhoods as well. Meticulously maintained homes in the estate section of town enjoy solid curb appeal whereas poorly kept neighborhoods do not. Interestingly, even your neighbor's state of curb appeal can positively or negatively affect your home's. So how can you tell where your home registers on the curb appeal scale? One way to find out is to take pictures of your property from various angles. Show them to friends, family, colleagues, anyone known for providing painfully objective feedback. Find out what's appealing about the home and grounds, and what needs improvement. Take the photos to a nursery for a professional landscaper's opinion. Even more important, consult your real estate agent. A local real estate professional has experience selling homes in your area and can be a great resource. Ask the agent to walk around the property with you and view it from across the street. Develop a "to do" list to bring your home up to show condition, then brainstorm easy, cost-effective solutions.

Surprisingly, even small enhancements can make a big difference. Building on your home's curb appeal might be as easy as replacing a torn screen and planting a few flowers near the front door.

Here are some ideas to get you going. Paint and polish. A fresh coat of paint breathes new life into a tired-looking home. If your home looks dull or suffers from pealing, cracked or chipped paint, a paint job is a great investment. Real estate agents often suggest using neutral colors such as white, off-white or gray. A point of interest: According to a survey by the National Association of REALTORS, white homes sell faster than others. Whether or not you paint, you'll want to polish the door-knocker and mail slot on the front door, as well as any light fixtures by the entry.

Go over the grounds. Mow and edge the grass and trim the trees and bushes. Also, clear away dead leaves and flowers, and mulch and weed the beds. Check to see that tree branches are not touching the home's roof or outer walls. You can spruce up the property by hanging flower baskets and placing planters of flowers in strategic spots.

Make needed repairs. Work your way through your "to do" list. In addition, see if anything is unhinged, loose or just an eyesore. Fix everything including broken fencing, windows and screens. Try the doorbell. Check stairs and railings. Test doors for squeaks and rusted hinges. Don't forget to take a critical look at the property at night. Make sure the lights work, and replace dim and burned-out bulbs.

De-clutter. Now is the time to have a garage sale, not when you're about to move. Throw out everything you can. Organize the garage and any out buildings. Put away lawn and garden equipment and tools. Tidy up the deck, patio and back yard. Clean up the barbecue area. Eliminate any "evidence" of pets, and restrict animals to the back yard when showing the home. Move extra vehicles from the view of passersby.

Clean. You want buyers to know the home has been well maintained. To make a bright impression, clean the windows, inside and out, wash down the walks and driveway, and hose down the siding. Clean outdoor furniture and cushions. Check for oil spots on cement surfaces, especially the garage floor.

Remember, a sale can be made or lost as a direct result of your home's curb appeal. So exert a little elbow grease now and you'll captivate buyers at the curb. It's a sure way to a quick sale.