Make Your Home Wow in Winter and Get More Out of Your Sale
We all know that first impressions are everything. This is as true in life as it is in real estate.
When you’re ready to put your home on the market, curb appeal matters no matter the season.
It’s especially important during the holiday season when people are already conscientious of
their budgets, which might make them think a little longer about a higher-priced home.
DeFoor Realty wants to help you get the most out of your property and here shares a few quick
tips on how to squeeze every last penny out of your curb appeal.
Keep it clean.
First and foremost, your front lawn and back entertaining areas should be clean and clear. This
means eliminating clutter, picking up the trash, pulling weeds – a chore that’s ideal for your
youngest family members – and organizing lawn or sports gear. If you have furniture on your
deck, patio, or porch, make sure that it is also clean and staged so that your outdoor spaces
look inviting. Make a point to also clean up after your pets, removing their waste and hiding their
toys.
Create a luscious landscape.
George’s climate is fairly temperate year-round, which means that there is no excuse to have a
dry, dead lawn. Research local landscape design services that can help you envision an
outdoors that draws in the eye. If you’re on a budget, look at online job boards and vet
candidates by cost, making sure to account for experience and positive or negative reviews.
Once you have chosen someone, talk to them about their plan, which should include either
warm- or cool-season grasses, shrubbery, and annual and perennial flowers.
Prioritize painting.
If you want your home to really stand out, paint. Start with the shutters, but don’t overlook the
front door. There are plenty of colors to choose from, including bright red, which Caroline Biggs
of the Martha Stewart brand notes is a color that makes your home a conversation piece. Be
careful here that you stay fairly consistent with other colors in the neighborhood. Standing out is
one thing, but you do not want to be the sore thumb of the street.
Showcase the Christmas spirit.
Starting around the first week of November, you’ll want to showcase the holiday season, which,
like painting, also starts with your front door with a simple wreath – burlap is a great choice here
as it is easy to work with and elegantly on-trend. A few lights along the walkway and a duo of
grazing rattan reindeer are plenty enough. Remember, simple is better, and you will only take
away from the ambiance of your house by saturating it in tinsel and trimmings.
Don’t obstruct the view.
While your landscaper will help you choose plants and shrubbery, it’s up to you to ensure these
do not grow out of hand. You do not want your bushes to obstruct the view, particularly if you
have a large picture window (this should also be clear and smudge-free) that might give your
potential home buyers a glance at the interior.
Your curb appeal matters more than you expect when it’s time to sell your house. And, while it’s
easy to keep things lush and green during the summer, the cooler weather poses challenges,
even in our warm southern climate. If you’re still not sure, talk to your realtor about things you
can do that will make your home stand out and sell for more without a huge investment.
Planning to buy or sell in the Augusta area? DeFoor Realty has the real estate experts that you need to get your foot in the door of your next home.
