Spring is the perfect time to invigorate your home's facade. Even if you aren't trying to sell your home but merely want to spruce it up, there's a definite benefit to enhancing and preserving your home's curb appeal.

Exterior upgrades consistently rank among the best home improvement projects for their strong return on investment. That's because many of these strategies are fairly simple and relatively affordable solutions.

But all homes are certainly not alike. While some are in need of large-scale improvements like a re-paved driveway, for example, yours might benefit most from some colorful flower beds and a fresh coat of paint.

The first step is to assess your home's appearance, but this time, look at it from a home buyer's perspective. Try to pretend you're seeing it for the first time, and then make a list of which characteristics stand out immediately, and which ones you want to highlight.

To help get you started, here are some areas to evaluate:

• Clutter - Getting rid of any excess items and lawn ornaments is a great place to start. Stow away,or consider throwing away, old furniture, bikes, knick knacks or any other personal items visible from the front yard that do not add to the aesthetic of the home.

• Digits - Possibly the simplest project on the list is to upgrade the address numbers on your home, especially if they might be considered too small, dated or broken. Installing larger, bolder numbers can instantly make the home seem more modern.

• Illumination - A dimly lit walkway is not only dangerous, it's also uninviting. Pathway lighting products are available in a wide variety of designs and price ranges, but even some of the more economical options can be visually appealing at night.

• Grime - You might think a heavy rainfall is like a shower for your home, when in fact, it's probably only making things dirtier. Invest in (or rent) a high-powered pressure washer and give your driveway, front steps, walkways and vinyl siding a once over. You'll be amazed by how much cleaner they can get.

• Paint - A fresh coat of paint on the front door, garage door and window trim can make a huge difference. However, if your front door has seen a lot of use and abuse over the years and it's beyond repair, it might be time to have it replaced. A new door can be sometimes be costly, but it's a surefire win when it comes to instant curb appeal, especially if you select a bold color.

• Grass - If you're looking to sell your home in the near future, having a well-maintained lawn is critical. The National Association of Realtors studied which outdoor features are most appealing to prospective buyers, and having a nice lawn was at the top of the list.

• Landscaping - Before you start planting your flowers this year, go online or consult a landscape architect for some new ideas to freshen things up. One suggestion is to install flower boxes under windows, which will make your home look much more warm and welcoming.

Boosting your home's curb appeal doesn't have to consume all of your spare time and your spare cash. While some projects are certainly bigger investments than others, some of the most effective tactics require little more than some good old-fashioned elbow grease.

For more suggestions about improving your home's appearance, contact Greater Montgomery Home Builders Association at (334) 277-7766.