Kristi Donohue: Focusing on your curb appeal

Curb appeal is key to selling your home.

"Pricing is only the first step in attracting potential buyers," said Kristi Donohue, a Realtor with Napier Realtors ERA in Midlothian. "Curb appeal stops cars, draws in buyers for a closer look and distinguishes your house from the competition."

Donohue, 37, recently started with Napier after spending eight years running her own landscape-design and home-decorating business.

That experience, she said, will help her set up homes -- inside and out -- to attract buyers.

Donohue also plans to offer other services.

"My comprehensive service includes hands-on staging, curb-appeal analysis and a custom marketing strategy, using all appropriate media, for every client," the Chesterfield County resident and mother of two said.

She is a proponent of homeownership, no matter the market trends.

"I believe owning a home is a sound long-term, financial and emotional investment," she said. "Ownership signifies pride in, and commitment to, your community; a vested interest in maintaining and improving your environment; and ultimately, quality of life."