September 9, 2014 • Page 16 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Curb Appeal Applies to Cars, too “Curb appeal” is a term often associated with selling a house. Homeowners selling their homes want to improve their home’s external appearance so it creates a stronger first impression when prospective buyers first pull up to the curb for an open house or a visit with their realtor. But while curb appeal is often uttered in real estate parlance, the term also is applicable when selling cars. Private sellers want to make their vehicles look as nice as possible, giving it the kind of curb appeal that impresses potential buyers the moment they see the vehicle. Improving a car’s curb appeal typically doesn’t require as much work as doing the same for a home, but the following are a few ways sellers can improve the look of their vehicles in an attempt to impress prospective buyers. • Give the car a good wash. The easiest way to improve how a car looks from the outside is to wash and wax it. Sellers should make this part of their vehicle maintenance routine until the car is sold. If you’re driving the car while you’re attempting to sell it, wash and wax the vehicle each week. Always wash the car before a It’s not just a body shop, its... Justra’s Body Shop • Paintless Dent Repair John Justra, Owner • 2806 Fox Run Pkwy • Insurance Work • Frame Straightening Yankton, SD 57078 • (605) 665-3929 • Restoration Work We guarantee that everything we do is done in • Glass Installation a rofessional and hassle-free manner. Stop by and • Lifetime Paint Warranty see John at Justra’s Body Shop for all your auto • Loaner Car Available body and paint needs. • Down Draft Bake Booth prospective buyer is scheduled to come over and take a look. Spray detailers can be used to give the car some extra sparkle. • Don’t forget the interior. While a car’s exterior contributes heavily to a buyer’s first impression of the vehicle, the interior also bears heavy influence on any potential buyers. Vacuum the vehicle’s interior, including both the floorboards and the seats, and clean the windows and windshields from the inside. Once the cupholders have been vacuumed, clean them with a damp cloth to remove any coffee stains or spots where something may have melted. A dirty interior may make buyers question if the rest of the vehicle, especially what’s under the hood, was properly maintained, so be sure to include this easy step as part of your curb appeal routine. Clean the interior as necessary until the car is sold. • Park the car in the garage. Whether you plan to keep driving the car every day until it’s sold or intend to keep it parked until the right buyer comes along, try to park the car in your garage or in some place where it’s protected from the elements. This prevents any additional damage from harsh weather and ensures a freshly washed car won’t succumb to falling leaves or other debris that may necessitate another washing. • Clean under the hood. While it’s easy to notice the buildup of dirt and grime on the interior and exterior of the vehicle, it’s not as easy to notice any such buildup under the hood. And while sellers may not see such unsightly buildup even when they open their hoods, buyers almost certainly will. Plastic covers are typically placed over the engine on many late model vehicles, and these covers can accumulate grease and debris over time. A spray cleaner or detailer can remove such buildup to make what’s under the hood as visually impressive as your freshly cleaned interior and exterior. • Clear out the trunk. No buyer wants to pop the trunk and see your golf clubs, beach chairs and cooler. When selling a car, remove all of your personal items from the trunk. This shows prospective buyers how much trunk space your vehicle is equipped with. In addition, an empty trunk will make the car lighter and, as a result, more smooth to drive, something buyers are sure to notice when they take the car out for a test drive. The term “curb appeal” is just as applicable to selling a car as it is to selling a home, and sellers can improve their chances of selling their used vehicles dramatically if they take steps to improve the curb appeal of their cars and trucks. n Metro Creative Connection Winter Prep Check-List Fall is a time to prepare homes, vehicles and even our psyches for the arrival of winter. To get your car cold-weather ready, check and repair these items now. ? Tire pressure can drop in cold weather. When tires are underinflated, you lose fuel efficiency, so monitor and maintain tire pressure throughout the winter. ? Those who live in particularly cold climates should switch from all-season to winter tires. Much as you wear winter boots to provide more traction and protection than sneakers, so should you equip your vehicle with tires that will stand up to winter terrain. ? Check on the status of your battery and its starting power. Cold weather can put more strain on a car battery. A battery that is already weak may not turn over when you need it most. ? Replace worn wiper blades and upgrade to a windshield fluid that is rated for subzero temperatures. Each of these items will improve visibility when winter precipitation is making its presence felt. ? Schedule an oil change at the beginning of winter. Dirty oil can hinder cold-weather starts and, if coupled with low coolant levels, can make it difficult for the engine to turn over. ? Keep jumper cables, a battery booster pack and warning cones in your vehicle. These can come to the rescue if your battery dies and you’re stranded on the side of the road. ? While you’re stocking the trunk or cargo bed, include a shovel, sand or cat litter, a flashlight, an ice scraper, water, and a blanket. These are good emergency items to have in the event your car breaks down in the winter. You can dig your tires out of a snow drift with the shovel and apply litter to increase traction. The blanket will come in handy if you have to sit in a cold car for a while awaiting roadside service. ? Consider taking a winter driving course. Icy, snowy conditions completely change the defensive tactics needed to navigate the roads. A prepared driver is one who is more likely to avoid accidents and make it home safely. n Metro Creative Connection HVAC & Electrical Contractors Power Source Electric Your Heating & Cooling Specialists Residential & Commercial Electrical Contractors 665.2895 260.8683 Divisions of Electair, Inc. 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