10 Things to do now if you plan to sell in the winter Part 2
Posted by Lesley Potts on
If you are thinking about selling your home in the next year there are several things you can do now to improve the way your home is presented to potential buyers, this series covers my top 10. In my first post of this series we talked about starting to pack up and de-clutter, cleaning out the shed or garage, and cleaning the gutters. This week we will cover three more ideas to prepare your house to show well during the traditionaly gloomy months.
7. Check Roof
If you list your home in the winter there is a good chance that the home inspector will have a difficult time doing a good inspection. If you can show a prospective buyer that you had your roof checked over the summer and needed repairs were already completed it can provide great peace of mind. If your roof just needs a good cleaning there are companies that will do that for you. I do not recommend this as something a homeowner takes on as a DIY project. There are special solutions professionals use, cleaning your roof incorrectly can cause damage.
6. Evaluate Exterior for Paint/Siding
If your home needs repainting or if siding needs to be replaced this is the time of year to be addressing that. This may not always be in the budget but there are times that touch up or repairs could be sufficient. Keep in mind that if a buyer is getting an FHA loan the inspector may require any peeling paint to be re-painted. It can be very difficult to get this done during a cold snap. Take a look around windows and doors in particular. Many times even if the siding is vinyl the trim will be painted.
5. Power Wash
Most homes will not need repainting or new siding but they can almost always benefit from a good washing. When done properly power washing can spruce up siding, gutters, decks and patios. If you are not having it done professionally please make sure you are using the right pressure and detergent for the job. This is a project that I would recommend holding off until the fall. You want to have your home washed as close to when you are ready to list it as possible, but before the tempatures turn to freezing.