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Getting ready in the home market Greenbrier County West Virginia 2023? Even though the market is changing, and things are a little unpredictable in the current state. One thing that is always important to anyone considering placing your property on the market is first impressions. Here are some helpful hints and suggestions for the spring home market for sellers in Greenbrier County and surrounding areas of Southern West Virginia. Placing your property on the market accordingly will achieve better success in getting your home noticed and basically get your home sold quicker.
Winter this year has been on the mild side, resulting in some of the plants and tree’s already wanting to show off for spring. That makes things a little harder for anyone wanting to place their home on the market and let mother nature handle the beautification of their property. With colder weather and some late freezing some plants and shrubs are taking a hit in their appearance.
Firstly, cleaning the yard and the area around the home is doubtedly the most important start to getting your home ready for market. Even though, the winter has been mild we have had several wind and rain events in the last months. Cleaning the grounds that surround the home of leaves and downed trees or twigs.
Yard Area General
Most likely the grass is not ready to be mowed, but if it is, a nice trimming and cleaning will make a good impression. Making sure the flower beds are in orderly fashion. If the weather is too cold to keep you from planting, just have the beds in nice clean condition. If mulching them will improve their look, by all means please take the time to complete this simple task. As the weather progresses and the weather corporates spending a few dollars to update the look of the beds will certainly improve your overall curb appeal.
Porches Patios and outdoor Areas (Pools/Hot Tubs)
Consequently, the most important part of a buyer coming to your home for a showing when they come to the front door. If you are considering not using the front door, please reconsider and make sure the agent knows this is the way you want anyone to enter the home when showing. With that being said, the front porch area and walkway is the first impression your buyer will see when entering your home. Making it attractive to the eye or even senses is always a good first impression for your potential buyers. It may require you to consider pressure washing the walkway and even the porch area. Cleaning the steps and any other areas that are vitally important for looks and safety. Mildew and green algae can cause the walkway and steps to become slick and slippery. Especially, if you have a showing in some of the spring showers that bring spring flowers. Considering the fact that first impression is everything, make the porch area warm, eviting and welcoming. Consider what a potential buyer would think about spending time in this area. If furniture is on the porch or patio, make it look clean and as if you want to have a nice comfortable seat there. Remember, sometimes less is more, so don’t get carried away with things and the number of items. De-personalize the area too, remember the potential buyers may not like the Greenbay Packers or may not be partial to pets, or political parties. Just neutralize the area, just as you should do the home inside too. Warm and inviting and what the new buyer can do in this space and customize on their own. Lastly, if you are fortunate to have a pool the season is way too early to have it up and running. Have the pool area in good order and clean. Even though, the pool is still closed for the season. This would be the same for hot tubs, if the hot tub is part of the outdoor experience. Make sure the unit is clean and of course operational. See this informative video below.
Garages and Outbuildings
Garages are sometimes the catch all of everything from home items, toys, and even pets. It is sometimes the situation that the garage is everything but the garage. If your garage has become the storage area or dumping ground for whatever. Take time to make sure this is addressed and clean and in order. If the garage is detached don’t think that if will not make a difference, it does. Clutter makes anything look smaller than it actually is. So, getting things in order and sorted makes things look better overall. Even it is just placing things in containers and having them stacked in one place will make the whole area look great. This area too may need some pressure washing or cleaning. If you have some leaking vehicles or equipment, they may have dropped some oil stains. Cleaning these areas will make the area look and even smell better. Pets are another thing to consider with the garage area. Sometimes pets share or use this area and can cause it to have lingering smells. If you can neutralize these areas ether from pressure washing or other means, please take the time to do so. Especially, if the home has the garage attached to the home. Outbuildings are the catch all too and that is what most of them are used for anyhow. But do consider the situation, if you are going to be selling the home anyway. If the outbuilding or outbuildings are congested, you will be dealing with them anyhow if you are moving. Getting them in order now will not only look better to a potential buyer, but also make them look better when getting shown. Declutter, de-personalize, and cleaning will result in a better showing and a potential buyer.
Exterior (in general home itself)
The overall all thing that is being sold or being offered to be sold is the home. Take a look at the exterior of the home in general. If the gutters are impacted from the last seral months weather. Take the time to remove the debris from them and that they are all free and clear flows. Check the downspouts and make sure they are draining where they should. This would also include any other buildings or outbuildings too. Downspouts can cause issues that are beyond just getting water away from the home. Gutters that are impacted or clogged to a potential buyer can make a buyer feel the property is not maintained. Flues and chimneys are generally inspected by a professional in a purchase situation by a potential buyer. If this is something that is utilized, and you have been using for the season. It may be a good idea to have it professionally cleaned and most inspect them when cleaning. For the cost of the service, it can prove to a potential buyer you maintain and keep the property in good condition. Leaving the invoice or inspection report for buyer to see would be a good idea. Windows and Doors should be inspected to see what condition they are in. If they are in need of some painting or cleaning, it should be addressed. As with the front door and porch section above if painting the front door will make the area look pristine take the time to get the area painted. Just remember to keep it to a minimum, not everyone like the same thing and that includes colors of paint. Remember clean and fresh will do the job. Outside overall, if there are some areas that need some attention in the painting of the trim or soffits it would be generally good to have them addressed. As with some loan situations, peeling paint will cause the lender inspection to disqualify the home for that type of lending.
Pets
We all love our pets, and we know that they are a part of our family. But unfortunately, not all people are in the same boat, and you may want to get the property ready for a potential buyer. Some buyers may not be as welcoming as you or your family on your pets. Making sure the property is in good condition and clean is vital to a buyer. Pet smells can be one of the major issues for buyers when they look at a property. Make sure the property is clean of all pet waste and any issues they may have cause are cured. For showings make sure you deal with the pets and access for showings. Agents can make notice necessary for showings and this will allow you to arrange for your pets and make a showing stress free for them and you.
Overall, the first impression is very important to buyers and getting your home ready will save you time and money. By the term’s money, getting your home sold in a timely manner at the right price in the market you are in. Is what any seller wants when placing their home on the market. These suggestions are what can make the process easier for a seller to understand and hopefully utilize to make the process of selling easier and more understandable.
Keith S Shaver
Realtor/Salesperson
304-667-3411
WV0025424
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