Will your house be on the market this spring? If so, you'll need your property to make a great first impression on buyers. Be sure to avoid these top curb-appeal-busting oversights.
Unkempt landscaping. Overgrown or brown grass; trees and shrubs in need of pruning; garden beds that have more weeds than living plants and that aren't well defined and freshly mulched - such signs of neglect cause buyers to wonder what else has likewise gone untented.
Clutter. Just as it's a turn-off inside your house, it's a turn-off outside. So put away the decorative ornaments (yes, that means the gnomes and flamingoes!), the gardening tools, and the children's toys. And while your garage should be tidied up before the ''For Sale'' sign goes up, keep your garage doors closed to avoid visual distraction against the rest of the house.
A dark house. Savvy buyers will make a point of returning to prospective properties at night to see what area is like after sundown. Make sure your house looks inviting after dark too, with an easily visible address, brightly lit entrace and walkway, and a welcoming glow from the inside.
A neglected façade. Peeling paint, dirty siding, missing shutters, hanging gutters, tarnished fixtures. Just as a neglected lawn makes buyers wonder what else has been overlooked, so too do signs that the exterior of the house itself has not been well maintained.
Safety hazards. Nothing will put buyers off faster than the feeling they'd be putting themselves in harm's way by stepping foot on your property. Walkways with loose or missing bricks or stones will need to be addressed, as will steps and railings that are in a state of disrepair.
Please call today for curb appeal tips that will ensure a positive first impression !
* Source : Market Connections Inc. 2012
TERMINOLOGY TIP
Closing Costs - Also known as settlement costs, closing costs are the fees, over and above the price of the property, that buyers and sellers incur in order to complete a real estate transaction. These fees include, but are not limited to, loan charges, appraisal fees, title insurance, homeowner insurance, property taxes, legal fees and land transfer taxes in certain provinces. Non-recurring closing costs are one-time costs associated with buying a property or obtaining a loan, while prepaid costs recur over time, such as property taxes and homeowner insurance.
