Fall is the busiest time of year for real estate. Spring and fall are when most homebuyers are looking and when a seller has the best chance to get top dollar for their home. I know it seems too early to be wishing summer away but the reality is if you’re thinking about selling your home this fall, you had better start preparing now. The great part is that with a few quick tips you can add value to your home and stand apart in a competitive market. You can also avoid panic in late August when life gets busy again and you have less time to dedicate to chores.
1. This may seem very obvious, and it is to 99.9% of the population but… Take down your Christmas lights or other holiday décor that might still be hanging around. A buyer is going to wonder what else has been neglected if the lights are still up 8 months later.
2. While you are up there taking down the lights, clean the gutters. I don’t mean clean the leaves and debris out, that’s good too, wash the outside surface of your gutters. It’s amazing the instant facelift your home will have with shiny, clean, white gutters.
3. If it needs it, power-wash your entranceway. This means your front path, siding, stairs or front porch. Again, this will help with curb appeal.
4. Consider re-painting your front door. This may seem like a lot of work, but the front door is the focal point of your home’s exterior. A little extra elbow grease might make your home more inviting.
5. Clean up the yard. Rake, trim and tidy. It doesn’t have to look like a prize wining English garden, but well kept is a must. It is hard this time of year to keep grass looking good; most lawns have turned brown during the hotter months. As long as your yard is kept short and tidy, buyers will know the property has been well cared for.
6. Wash the windows, inside and out. We get used to spotty windows when we live with them all the time. A good window clean will make a big difference and let more light into your home.
7. Stage your home. This may seem like a lot of work and expense, especially if you are living in the home while it’s for sale, but the proof is in the results. Often the MLS photos are your first chance to make an impression and strong photos bring in more potential buyers.
That’s not much time to impress. Staging should be considered an investment. Your real estate agent and home stager are experts in marketing your home for the best possible results. Staged homes sell for more than non-staged homes and often much faster.
Take the time to prepare for your sale. The truth is that it will not only help your sale go faster and generate more profit but it will also ease your stress level. If need be, hire professionals. Sometimes the cost is worth the peace of mind and if your team does their job well you may recover your costs and more once your home has sold.
Image sources: 1. Sutton Place Christmas Tree Pageant by Space Harmony | 2. Andrew Codrington | 3. Space Harmony South Granville Project | 4. Space Harmony South Granville Project | 5. Space Harmony Cypress St Duplex Project | 6. Space Harmony Cypress St Residence Project | 7. Space Harmony West Vancouver Residence Project | 8. Space Harmony Cypress St Duplex Project
