Selling a home? Enhance curb appeal for a quicker sale.

Compare two identical houses in the same neighborhood, and the one with the best landscaping will sell first. In a competitive market, landscaping gives home sellers an edge, says the American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA). Gina Carr, broker/owner of Century 21 Advantage in Atlanta, agrees.

"The main reason Realtors don't show a house is lack of curb appeal. Take a so-so house, add nice landscaping, and it's going to get shown more frequently and sell faster," Carr explained. If selling a home is in your plans, consider the following suggestions:

Hire a landscape professional if you plan to sell within a year. Lawns that receive professional attention three to five times a year will look sharp when the house enters the market. Landscaping should be attractive, not complicated.

"Home buyers react favorably to a park-like setting. Your goal is a beautiful yard that looks easy to care for," said Carr. Most buyers are not landscape experts, but they do look for quality. Buyers in some markets may favor Bermuda lawns or hardwood trees, for example.

Fast fixes come in handy when selling in a hurry. You've been transferred you move next month and you've got enough on your mind without worrying about curb appeal, but a trip to the garden center and a few hours labor may translate into a quicker sale.

Dress up beds and around trees with a fresh layer of mulch. Place several containers of colorful annuals at the house entrance for a favorable impression. Green up you lawn with fertilizer or overseed with rye grass. Trim back shrubbery for a neat appearance. Any landscape gets a lift from mowing, weeding and edging.