Ready or not, it’s coming! The fall season is lurking just behind these last few weeks of warm, summer weather. If you are trying to sell your home this fall, consider making some home improvements to boost the chance of selling. Check out these ways to keep your landscaping and exterior in top condition.
- Rake leaves frequently; not only does it look better, but keeping loose debris from walkways creates a safer environment for potential buyers.
- Patch any brown areas of grass. After a whole summer of lawn care, don’t let things slip now!
- Mulch your garden beds. This will provide an added layer of protection for your plants as winter creeps in.
- If your summer flowers are fading or wilting after a long season, create a welcoming experience by replacing them with fresh mums and other fall friendly colorful flowers.
- Draw attention to your front entry by adding a fall wreath to your door.
- Pressure wash the exterior of your home – including the windows. As the leaves fall from the trees, your home will become more exposed to the scrutinizing eyes of potential buyers, so make sure it’s appealing from the curb.
- Clean out the gutters and downspouts keeping them clear of debris; this sends a subtle but powerful message to home buyers that you have been invested in taking good care of this property.
- Provide adequate outdoor lighting. It won’t be long and the days will be considerably shorter, which means buyers will need a well-lit path to your front door.
- Add weather stripping to doors and windows if needed; the time to address a cold draft or air leak is before the bitter cold sets in.
- Storm doors and windows; if you plan to install these seasonal items make sure they are in good working condition. If they are in need of repair or should be replaced, now is the time to take that step.
- Walk around the exterior of your home paying close attention to areas that may need to be caulked (places like windows, doors, joints, corners or anywhere something protrudes from the wall/roof). Caulking is best done before the temperatures get too cool.
- Check your HVAC system. Also make sure your furnace has a new filter and have the system checked out by a professional. A buyer will be asking for this to be done during a home inspection anyhow, so it’s best to discover any problems early on.
- Clean out the fireplace. If you have a fireplace, chances are pretty good that you haven’t used it in a long time, so it’s a good idea to make sure it’s clean and free from cobwebs.
- Clean and/or store your seasonal furniture. It’s always nice to give your outdoor furniture some TLC after it’s provided hours of entertainment over the summer months.
- Service your underground irrigation system. In certain climates it’s necessary to clear the water lines so that water will not freeze and burst the pipes during the winter months. If you live in such a climate, now is the time to begin thinking about taking care of this issue.
Take pleasure in the final days of summer because they’re going fast! To make sure your real estate listing will stand apart from the competition, get a jump start on your fall home maintenance.
Monte Mohr has sold over 2,500 homes, making him one of America's top Realtors for the last 25 years. This experience has given him a unique perspective on the Nashville real estate found at http://www.tenneseedreamhomes.com that’s worth paying attention to. He is also a regular contributor of real estate here at Nashville’s NBC affiliate station, WSMV Channel 4. To learn more about Monte Mohr’s experience as a real estate agent, to get free advice about your biggest real estate challenges or to request an interview contact him at Monte@TheMohrGroupTN.com.
