Whether you are planning to sell your house or just want to create a nicer living environment for your family, improving your front yard curb appeal will yield long-term value to you as a homeowner. The great news is you can create dramatic and lasting results for a minimal investment of both time and money.

Before you start, look at your landscape as an objective observer. Stand at the curb and critically evaluate what you see. Namely, what stands out or detracts from the overall look and feel of your home?

A couple of fixes are really easy. For example, if the trim paint is cracked, faded or peeling, sand down the rough spots and apply a fresh coat of paint. This will add a fresh, crisp look that will make your home look well maintained. Also, remember that clutter kills curb appeal. Be sure to remove all clutter around the exterior of your home, including children's toys, small out-of-scale flower pots, and other items that can easily be cleared away.

Next, survey your landscaping with a critical eye. Is it outdated or overgrown? Do overgrown shrubs obscure the front of your home and hide its full potential? Are weeds overrunning your flower beds?

Don't let this part intimidate you. In some cases, minimal intervention is necessary. Simply trimming existing shrubs and bushes for a neat appearance and creating a clear, sharp border around the edge of your planting beds might do the trick. Also, adding a layer of fresh mulch and removing any weeds you might find will add a more finished and polished look to your yard.

Don't panic, however, if a more major overhaul is in order. This doesn't have to mean an expensive and time-intensive undertaking. In fact, a little pre-planning, a trip to your local home improvement store or nursery and a weekend of work should suffice.

Before buying any new plant material, consider the following:

1.) What type of sun exposure (i.e., Mostly sunny? Shady? A combination of both?) does your yard get?

2.) What type of soil do you have? Does it need amended?

3.) What plants do you already have that can be saved and used to create the backbone of your new landscape? Obviously, reusing what you already have is a great way to save money.

4.) What is the overall scale of your property? (Small city lot or expansive country setting?)

5.) If you live in an area with changing seasons, plan for all of them. Evergreens add life to the dead of winter and colorful mums add excitement when summer's brilliant display has faded.

6.) When adding color, go for strong visual impact. You can achieve this by grouping plants in odd-numbered multiples (3, 5, etc...). If your lot is bigger, use more plants - a single plant or a small grouping will get lost in a larger space.

7.) Choose one or two special accents plants, such as a Japanese maple or the stunning Limelight hydrangea, to create eye-catching focal points around your property. Add accent lighting to transform your specimen plants into an evening focal point, as well.

8.) Consider vertical space when landscaping for curb appeal. A bunch of short little plants will appear lost next to a standard two-story home. Plant for staggering heights with taller plants in the back closer to the house and shorter plants toward the front of your beds.

Evaluating these factors in advance will help you develop a concise list of what planting materials you need to purchase. This will help minimize impulse buys and help you avoid plants that won't survive or thrive in your yard.

Once you've selected your plants and get them home, the fun part of transforming your yard and your home can begin. A couple of days of work in your yard should translate into years of added value to your property.