We can always count on the New England weather to throw us for a loop. The combination of blizzards, bomb cyclones, and freezing rain this April has not only delayed spring but also shortened what is typically the busy season for the real estate industry.
Now that we’re FINALLY starting to see some peeks of sun, it’s the perfect time to assess your home and edit, edit, edit. Exteriors took a real beating this winter. Painting, landscaping & yard work, gutter repairs, driveway improvements, front porch sprucing, and fence replacements are the most common damage that affects homeowners during the winter, and if you are trying to sell your home, it is crucial to make these projects a priority.
The phrase, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression” couldn’t be truer when putting your home on the market. So, think carefully about that first impression. It starts the moment someone steps out of their car — take a look at your home through the eyes of the buyer and ask yourself, “is this home well cared for?” “is it in good condition?”. That perception often starts on the outside even before a buyer has stepped through your front door. — YES, winters in New England can be harsh, and you don’t want your home to pass along that message. Chipping paint, potholes in the driveway, broken fences, and porch damage are things that can concern buyers, and you don’t want that to cloud their impression as they walk through your home. A proper yard cleanup goes a long way, and if you don’t have a green thumb or it’s still too early in the season to be in full bloom, add some baskets of flowers to give that punch of color to the front of your house. Remember, small changes can make a big bottom-line difference, and it doesn’t have to come with a big price tag!
If you are trying to sell your home, our advice is to put on your “Buyer’s Hat”! What projects do you KNOW you need to do that you’ve been putting off? How can you make potential buyers fall in love with all the good your home has to offer from the very moment they park their car? What would you like to see in a house you are buying? Hopefully sunshine is in the forecast from here on in, so make your list and start checking it off!
Irene & Heidi
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