With the real estate market on the downturn, it is tough to sell a house these days. It could be a simple problem called "curb appeal". If potential homeowners drive by and see your house, they will generally make a first impression, split second decision on whether or not they will continue to look further. They may even come inside for a second look, but first impressions count. Here are ten home staging ideas to make your house more noticeable and inviting for potential homebuyers, and increase your likelihood to sell.

Step 1
Polish up the exterior. The look of the exterior of your house will have a lot to do with how much potential home buyers will consider your home. It's the first glance of your home and therefore it needs to look its best at all times. To do this, either use a pressure washer to clean any stains, or paint the exterior of your home if necessary. This will greatly add a fresh look for curb appeal. Many of the tools needed can be rented or purchased from a local hardware store.

Step 2
Lighting. Light up the house's front pathway and landscaping. Outside lighting will contribute greatly to the alluring qualities of your exterior. Lighting will add to the attractiveness of the home and adds security features.

Step 3
Landscaping using colorful plants and flowers. Include a few plants and flowers where it will accentuate the look of your house. Select colorful plants and flowers, or shrubs that align with the walkway or accent the front door and lighting. Before you decide on a final location you're your plants and flowers, take a step back and take a look from a distance. The flowers and plants shouldn't cover up any strong accent points like windows and doors. It is also a good idea to regularly maintain your landscaping.

Step 4
Looking through windows. Windows should be spotless, and it good shape. Repair any damaged window parts and tighten any screws. Regularly clean your windows too. Curtains and blinds may be added if windows are not in tip top shape.

Step 5
Add outdoor furniture. Entice potential home buyers by adding furniture to your porch of front area. A few chairs and a table will do. Add a nice table cloth to the table and a vase with beautiful orchids or other flowers of your choice. Make potential home buyers imagine their self sitting at the table having lemonade on a hot summer day.

Step 6
Polish up fences. If your fence needs a boost, scrape and repaint it. A fresh coat of paint can brighten the look of the fence and add to the look of the entire yard or front area.

Step 7
Repair lighting. It's a good idea to repair or replace any broken lights. Consider adding solar landscape lighting along the sidewalk and the driveway. Solar landscape lights are inexpensive and come in a variety of styles. For the inside, consider adding compact fluorescent light bulbs which can save you lots of money. According to the Energy Star government site, if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.

Step 8
Welcome your guests. It's always great to see a nice welcome mat at the front door. This will give potential home buyers a welcoming feeling, as if it was their own home.

Follow these simple home staging ideas and you can achieve a great looking curb appeal that many potential buyers can admire and appreciate as they drive by. Remember, homebuyers can continue driving by or stop and take a closer look inside.