Curb appeal

HOME AND FAMILY

SPRING INTO ACTION WITH THESE HOME CLEANUP TIPS By Louise Hendricks, RE/MAX All Points Port Moody

The spring real estate market is upon us. Spring cleanup is important for any home, but it is especially important for a house going on the market. Your home needs to shine at first glance! You need to have curb appeal!

But what does that really mean?

Potential buyers will be looking for visual clues that your home is well cared for and will often do a drive-by before they decide to look inside. To give them the best impression of your home, consider the following tips.

To start, go outside your home and look at it from the sidewalk. Does the garden need a cleanup? If your home

has trees, there are likely fallen branches and leaves on the ground after a long rainy winter. Clearing up the lawn and garden should be your first priority. Mow the lawn and add fresh sod if needed. Trim shrubs and trees. Plant fresh flowers and greenery.

After that, look at the house itself. Power wash the siding and walkways. Make sure you are not causing damage to your siding. If you are in doubt, call a professional.

A detail often overlooked is to clean the windows inside and out. It really makes a huge difference. The house will literally sparkle as people drive by.

Once the house is clean, look further at the condition of the siding, facia boards, trim and eaves troughs. Replace any rotting facia boards or wood trim. Any dirty or damaged eaves troughs or downspouts should be cleaned, replaced or mended.

Exterior painting may also be a good idea. Repainting a front door makes a world of difference and is so inviting. Repaint or stain the front porch or stoop as well. Add a welcome mat and a planter of flowers by the front door.

Nighttime curb appeal is important, too. Make sure all the exterior lights are working and that the numbers on the house are visible and easy to read.

Once you have done all that, you are ready to tackle the inside of the house. But first call your realtor to take a look at what really needs doing before you list your home for sale. In most cases, a good clean, decluttering and possibly some fresh paint is all that is wneeded. Before you list is not the time for an expensive unnecessary renovation as you may not get a return on your money. n

Louise Hendriks is a realtor with RE/MAX All Points Port Moody. She can give you a free market evaluation and talk about preparing your home to sell for top dollar. Call her at 604-454-4367.

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