Realtors in a nationwide survey say replacing your garage door prior to listing your home can increase its demand and help you reach your asking price. This may largely be due to homeowner demand for more storage space making three-car garages a typical standard and a major design focal point.

If you are thinking of upgrading your home’s garage appeal you may want to consider something more than a standard steel panel door. According to “Professional Builder” magazine, designer garage doors are one of the "50 Must-Have Features for Today's Home Buyers."

“We had a seller last fall who replaced existing 70s style flush panel garage doors with carriage house style doors and it changed the entire look of the house,” adds Garrett. “It sold for full asking price the first day on the market and the owners made a profit. The interior had been upgraded -- but it was the exterior that the buyers fell in love with at first sight.”

Here are some additional garage door changes that might take your home to a new selling high:

1. Give your garage door a new layer of paint. Nothing says welcome home like a cheerful front entry. It’s an easy affordable way to freshen up a paint scheme without having to repaint the entire exterior.

2. Add new stylish lighting fixtures. Light up your doorways, driveway and walkways. Better to have more lights at lower wattages than one, very bright one. Angle spotlights to highlight trees and bushes, creating a dramatic nighttime effect. Solar lights that charge during the day are easy to install yourself.

3. Use mulch – Rather then leaving your garden messy and unkept mulch makes landscaping and garden beds look tidy, crisp and well maintained.

4. Plant lots of flowers. This is always money well spent because it adds charm and life to any exterior. Even if you have never planted flowers you will find it is easy to do. Bringing lots of new colours to your garden will bring a new life to your home.

5. Re-surface your driveway. Instead of a black top or smooth concrete, consider stained or stamped concrete patterns. This can do wonders for curb appeal.