Curb appeal is a key factor in home sales - after all, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. As a homeowner, you’ll want to make sure your house is looking its best to attract more potential buyers, and that starts from the moment they pull up outside your front door. During the fall and winter months this can be easier said than done - the flowers are all but gone, leaves are falling daily and bushes and trees start to look bare. Add to this the changing weather and it can be hard to show your home in it’s best light. We’ve asked our realtors to come up with their top suggestions for increasing curb appeal during these tricker months.
Windows and Doors
At any time of year, sparkling-clean windows will always make your home look more attractive. In the darker days of fall and winter, it’s more important than ever to make sure your windows are clean to let in as much light as possible. Washing down your front door and making sure any brasses are cleaned is also a way to make a good first impression. If your door has any cracks or peeling paint, consider replacing it - not only does it look better but it will improve security - a plus for any buyer. A seasonal decorative wreath adds an inviting touch.
Sweep Leaves
The changing colors on the trees are one of the most beautiful aspects of fall in Massachusetts, but once they come off the trees and are all over your front lawn, porch and path they do not look so appealing! If your home is on the market, make sure you are regularly raking up the leaves and clearing any other debris such as broken branches from your front yard and walkway. Now is also a good time to cut back any plants that are done flowering to give a well-kept look to your borders.
Clean Your Gutters
If you are not confident on a ladder this is one best left to professionals. Cleaning your gutters not only improves the overall look of your property, it will prevent any rainwater from overflowing and running down the outside of your home, potentially damaging your paintwork (or soaking potential buyers!). It’s also another important maintenance task - clean gutters are a sign of a well-maintained home which buyers will appreciate.
Bring Some Color
Before the snow and ice hits there are still some flowering plants that can be utilized in pots or window boxes to bring color to your curb. Mums are extremely popular at this time of year and for good reason. They come in a variety of different colors - whites and creams, yellows and oranges, pinks, reds and purples - and produce many flowers to bring a much needed pop of color. They will work well in pots and window boxes, alongside pumpkins if you still have them (just be sure to remove any pumpkins that have past their best or been eaten by critters!) Another alternative is flowering kale or cabbage, which provides a nice contrast to the orange pumpkins.
Prepare for Spring
If you are not quite ready for the fall market, there are things you can do now to prepare for an early spring sale. Now is a great time to plant bulbs, which will flower at the first sign of spring next year. Snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths are all early spring bloomers and will give you flowers as early as February or March - perfect if you are planning to get a head start on the Spring Real Estate Market for 2021!
For more tips on selling during the fall market, and why now is still a good time to sell, talk to one of our experienced realtors. They can provide you with a comprehensive market analysis, give you an accurate valuation of what your home is worth today, and walk you through a marketing plan to give your home the widest possible exposure. Get in touch for a no-obligation conversation!
