Here’s a quick reminder of items to prepare your home for the winter:

•  Keep Front Porch Light On – Since it is getting dark earlier, and many buyers view homes in the evening after work, it is best to leave the front porch light on.  This way agents can easily find and access the key box, which will give a better first impression of the property.
• Set Thermostat – It is best to keep the house at a regular temperature of at least 60 degrees.  A cold house is very unwelcoming to a buyer and they will be quick to leave.  Secondly, the warmth will hopefully prevents unwanted frozen/broken pipes.
• Outdoor Water Faucets – Put hoses away and cover outdoor water faucets with insulators in order to prevent frozen/broken pipes.
• Clean Leaves/Debris From Walkways – This will keep a welcoming feel and prevent leaves and dirt from being tracked inside the house.

If you are interested in hiring a handyman to do any winterization of your home, let us know and we can make arrangements.

 Thanks and enjoy this beautiful season!

1.  Since your front door should be the focal point of your home, make sure it has a fresh coat of paint or stain on it.  An attractive door knockers and or inviting wreath can add a major “welcoming” statement to the potential new owners.
2. Consider replacing the hardware on the door should it be flaking or worn.  Always make sure the doorbell is functioning correctly.  An immediate turn off to any potential buyer is their awareness of something not working properly even before they enter the home.
3. A new welcome mat in a complimentary color to the exterior of your home can boost the front entrance “welcome factor”.  Also, your mailbox should have crisp clean numbers on it plus should appear practically new.
4. Installing outdoor lighting that will light up the walkways or even a new front porch light will make your home more inviting and updated. This will create a welcoming street-side appeal in the evenings when most buyers will have the time to scout out neighborhoods.
5. Use a pressure washer to remove any mold or mildew. This will give a much cleaner appearance overall to any siding, roofing and driveway neglects.
6. Mowing the lawn, getting rid of all weeds, and adding new mulch will give your home a clean, finished look. Add containers of eye-catching flowers to a porch or sidewalk to give the exterior of your home an additional “wow” factor.
7. Many homeowners simply forget the importance of trimming the shrubs and cutting overgrown tree branches away from the home.  The true architecture of the home can be missed without the attention to these details.  Trimming around all flowerbeds and stationary objectives is very important to give the final impression.
8. Should you have a front porch large enough add a swing and a couple of chairs, plus adding a couple of hanging flower baskets can give that special welcoming touch.
9. Check the gutters and downspouts if they show damage.  Replacing them will add eye appeal all around the home.  Having the gutters checked previously for buildup of leaves is critical to the wear and overall look of the home.  Also, cleaning the windows and allowing the sunlight to enter gives a warm and comfortable feeling to anyone who will view your home.

 You do not get a second chance to make a fantastic first impression.  Choosing to complete a few single projects to your home before placing it on the market can mean a HUGE difference in a quicker sale versus sitting on the market for many months.

 If you should be thinking of putting your home on the market, give me a call at 931-526-4455 to discuss how to take advantage of the “little” things that will make a “big” difference in selling your home.