The Boulder-Broomfield residential market has had busy late winter/early spring home sales these past several years. Contrary to popular opinion, early spring is a great time of year to list your home. Inventory tends to be lower than at other points in the year, and there is usually a pent-up buyer demand that survived through the winter months raring to buy something.
If you are considering listing and selling your home in 6 months, there are some things you can be doing between now and then to prepare your home, and yourself, for a successful sale. The statement that “the devil is in the details” certainly applies to preparing your home for this event. If you take the time to plan for and to address the details now, it will pay off later.
1. Take exterior photos on sunny fall days. Capture the fall foliage in and around your home to use in marketing materials early next year. Continue to take photos if your property benefits from winter views of the mountains that are normally obscured by foliage in other months.
2. Plant bulbs before the end of October. Bulbs are an inexpensive and easy way to add color to our yards early in the year. Chose deer resistant bloomers if deer are an issue in your own yard. Plant bulbs in showy groups of 12 or more together for larger splashes of color.
3. Clean out the house; “less is more” in showing your home. Identify several charitable organizations that will accept your household and clothing donations. Find out which ones will pick up from your house to eliminate the extra step of dropping things off to the organization. While everyone has their own method, I have been successful with working one room at a time. Make a list of the items you are giving away, obtain written receipts for your donations, and include these donations as deductions to your income at income tax time. Be sure to check with your accountant or on-line with the IRS to familiarize yourself with current rules on non monetary charitable donations.
4. Get a home inspection done, especially if the home has not had an inspection in the past several years. Identify what issues may exist and start addressing them. Look for specials offered throughout the winter months when many trades are slow and are soliciting for business.
5. Create a “honey-do” list, or hire a handyman to address all the small items that need attention, such as that loose front door knob, or the broken latch on the fence gate. Finish items that you have been meaning to “get to” for sometime. Create the list and work your way down it to complete each item over the next 6 months.
6. Conduct maintenance, especially on your furnace, fireplace flue, roof, or gutters. Paint the house exterior now if you think it may be issue when you go to list the house. Waiting to paint the exterior in March may not be a viable option if we have another snowy winter.
A little advance planning and work can help you have more control and sanity when you list your house and your house will show better for all your efforts. If you need help in determining what needs attention and where to start, call your trusted Realtor to help you.
Angela McCormick
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