Prepping Your Home For Sale In The Fall
July 23rd is exactly 100 days from Halloween. I am a big fan of the fall season and am looking forward to the crispy morning breeze that floats in with notes of freshly sharpened pencils, a new Pendleton sweater, and spiced apples.
Most articles show you how to prep your home for the springtime -- power washing the walk, trimming back foliage touching the house, and generally getting the house ready for the warm months ahead. But what does it look like to prep your house for sale in the fall, prior to the notorious quiet time we see in real estate sales during the holiday months?
Well, here are a handful of things I think would be beneficial to do to maximize your home's sale price during what I believe to be the most lovely season in Oregon.
1. Remove those leaves!
While a sprinkling of leaves in the lawn or some crunchy dried leaves on the sidewalk can be seasonally charming… get an electric leaf blower or sturdy rake. You’ll want to stay on top of this and blow or rake the bulk of the leaves every few days. Notice where they congregate the most as the heavier winds and rain roll in and stay on top of their removal. Wet spots and mucky leaf breakdown are not only visually unappealing, but they can also be slipping hazards. Keep walks, driveway, patio/deck, and steps clear, and remove those leaves! (Also, this is a fantastic time of year to fertilize your lawn since you’re already out there.)
2. Keep seasonal colors in your front pots.
Your listing photos will pop more with some autumnal color. Trader Joe’s brings in some great potted mums each fall, and they will help brighten your entrance. The first impression is very important this time of year as there is more of a hurry to unlock the door to get inside and out of the rain! Keep them in the plastic pot they come in so that you can easily “bottom water” the mums in a bucket as opposed to watering from the top and they’ll last through inspection, appraisal, and closing.
3. Purge summer activity items and decor from around the house.
Baby pools, lawn games, etc., are reminders of a season past, and removing them is a good way to focus the house image toward all that is coming up next. Subtly reminding buyers who come through your home that they could be planning their next holiday gathering in your space is crucial, and those fun summery items don’t speak to that.
4. Clean out your gutters.
Get ahead of a task that is always called out in inspection reports this time of year. You’ll save yourself the rush and expense of having to do it in a tighter timeline. Removing pine needles, leaves, debris, and possibly the neighbor kid's rogue baseball ahead of listing the home for sale is ideal. Make sure to run some water through the downspouts to ensure there aren’t any clogs prohibiting drainage, as you may need a more powerful tool to clear the line. If you need a referral for this task, let me know, and I’ll hook you up.
5. Have your HVAC and fireplaces serviced.
These types of services book up quickly as the weather starts to turn colder. Priority appointments with the most reputable companies are given to those who have yearly service agreements, so it’s best to get on their calendars as early as possible. Dealing with any potential HVAC issues can really put you in a great position come list time, and often we see any repairs or upgrades to these systems noted as an appealing marketing tidbit. Don’t forget to ask about service to your gas fireplace as well. Often the HVAC tech you have coming over is licensed and bonded to inspect and service gas fireplaces too. That means more bang for your buck!
I believe if you get ahead of these tasks before listing your house, you will enjoy a better experience come showing -- and, ultimately, inspection -- time. How your home is brought to market can really make or break your chances of getting the highest price and best terms. Over the years, I have collected an extensive list of vendors I know and trust that can accomplish any and all pre-list punch-list tasks. If you need any referrals, please let me know. I’m here to help YOU.