If not, don’t worry. You have plenty of time to prepare and make repairs or updates.
For the most part, not really. The best months for selling your home are April through May. By September, sales tend to taper off. But, the cooler months of September through the end of the year offer a valuable time to catch up on any updates or repairs needed to make it even more saleable.
Major renovations take time, so if you’re planning to knock out a wall or install new kitchen cabinets, this is the best time to take it on. That’s assuming your property is uninhabited. If not, a little more trouble, but it can be done.
Serious Tidy-Up
Among the most obvious things to do is declutter and clean. A home should be as near to a blank slate as possible, allowing potential buyers to imagine it being filled with their things. Cramped rooms and crowded closets are a real turn-off.
Fresh Paint
Painting is the easiest and most powerful way to revitalize any home. Neutral colors are the best, although it doesn’t mean everything has to be white. White works well on the baseboards, crown moldings, and trim, but other great neutral paint colors are popular and appealing to home buyers and/or renters.
Inviting Front Entryway
The easiest way to make a great first impression is to take a little time to make the front entryway as inviting as possible. It makes the home welcoming so prospective buyers or renters are excited to get inside and see more. Some good tips to consider.
- Give the front door a new paint job or perhaps a new door altogether
- Use a sponge and soapy water to clean the mailbox or replace it
- A new, generic welcome mat in front of the door is nice
- Update light fixtures very affordably
- Decorate with potted plants
No Cracks in Walkway and Driveway
Cracks in the walkway or driveway are not only an eyesore, they are a safety hazard. Minor breaks can be easily fixed, but if there are large problem areas, your best bet is to get an estimate from a professional contractor. Leveling concrete slabs can range between $550 to $1,300. To repair a driveway, the cost ranges from $750 to $2,300. The size and landscape of your driveway and the extent of the damage determine the cost.
Organized Attic, Basement, or Garage
Careful not to overlook the storage spaces like the attic, basement, or garage which don’t usually get as much attention like the rest of your house. Unless these spaces are used as a living area, don’t worry too much about making them sparkle, but organized is good.
Pet Odors and Smoke Residue Begone
Homeowners who have pets or residue from smoker’s tend to not be as aware of the lingering odors that stay in the house. Prospective home buyers or renters will notice the unpleasant air right away. It takes a lot more than aerosol spray or flowery plug-ins to eliminated the smell of pet urine and/or tobacco smoke, so make a serious effort to eliminate any residual signs of foul smells.
As you make preparations for selling your property during the cooler, fall months, also keep in mind that a prospective buyer and/or renter has a particular mindset. The things they are looking for in a home will differ. Perhaps they are looking for an investment property to buy and lease. Or, maybe they have a family with teen-age children. Your prospective buyer/renter could be relocating from a different city to start a new job.
When springtime rolls around you will be well positioned to begin showing your property. You’ve had time to make repairs, touch-ups, and fine-tuning, so you will be a jump ahead of many sellers.
When the time comes to sell your property, or perhaps you have decided to rent, contact Cousin James Management. We’ve been helping customers throughout North Texas for more than 25 years. We go far beyond property management with expert real estate pros to guide you. Contact us anytime for more information.
If you’re considering renting your property, instead of selling, you might want to download our free checklist with tips for property owners considering renting.
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