While many people believe that spring is traditionally the most popular time to put a home on the market, selling during other seasons does come with some possible advantages. Additionally, life plans don’t always coincide with the seasons. If you find yourself putting your home on the market during the fall or winter, make the most of it by increasing your home’s value so that it gains the attention of buyers who are in the same boat as you in the colder weather: moving. With some ingenuity, and hard work from an experienced agent like those at The Maria Barr Team, your home can welcome potential buyers in from the cold.
Buyers will judge the cover
While the saying “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” has merit, when you’re selling your home, most buyers will decide whether they want to go inside by how your home looks outside. That’s okay, though, because many exterior improvements are those you can do yourself, and other items just require regular upkeep. This includes keeping your lawns free of leaves in the fall, and then keeping your sidewalks and doorsteps clear of snow and ice in the winter. Consider power-washing your deck and home, including your foundation, before the colder weather sets in. Other good DIY projects include adding some outdoor lighting; strings of clear bulbs allow you to keep them up before and after the holidays, while still adding a festive appeal during. Also, you may not have thought much about your mailbox day in and day out, but take a look now and see if a new one is in order. While you can choose from some whimsical designs, make sure your selection doesn’t appeal to a narrow taste and that it complements your home and neighborhood.
More serious investments
Other projects may be best left to a professional, such as exterior painting, roof repair and replacement, or window upgrades. Improved landscaping is also a great way to increase your home’s curb appeal and value. Talk to a professional landscaper – ideally before the snow hits – about a new walkway installation, and planting shrubs and trees mature and colorful enough to provide a welcome contrast against the dullness of the cold, short days. Using container plants is also a great approach to providing quick and easy color. If your landscaping ideas are hampered by drainage and erosion issues, talk to your landscaper about what landscape grading services you could get that would help. If you trust your landscaper you can ask for references, or connect with local landscape grading contractors in your area by searching online for “yard grading near me.” You can then read their online reviews before getting a quote. Some companies may offer deals or credits which can help you
offset costs. Speaking of costs, be sure you keep all of your receipts for improvements you’ve paid for and capture your home’s look both before and after your improvements with pictures. In most cases, a buyer will need to get an appraisal done as part of the home buying process, and your receipts and photos will document the investment you’ve made in your home with your improvements, both those you paid a professional to do and those you’ve done yourself.
A season of serious buyers
Remember, buyers may not be as plentiful in the fall and winter, but at The Maria Barr Team, we’ve often found that those who are actively looking are typically serious ones, eager to find that perfect place to call home for the rest of the winter. By taking a few steps to increase your home’s appeal and its value, they may feel a warm welcome as soon as they step through the door.
Written by Clara Beaufort
Photo by Jonathan Francisca on Unsplash