Tips For Enhancing Property Appeal This Fall
Cooler temperatures, leaves changing color, and getting into the swing of the daily routine of school and work are all signs of fall, but what about getting serious about home improvement projects?
As real estate cycles go, fall is an ideal time to think about making home upgrades. These updates will not only prepare your home for cooler temperatures but improve its resale value if you are thinking about selling in the spring when the residential real estate season typically picks up.
Some projects to consider involve getting ahead of regular home maintenance, while others can give your home a modern refresh that will also add value.
There is lots of benefits to owning real estate but only if you keep up with the property.
Outdoor Upgrades
As a homeowner, there are some projects that are a must for the fall, and staying on top of these can prevent bigger maintenance problems from coming up.
Taking these actions will prepare your home to withstand winter storms, and get your yard ready for its winter hibernation.
Replace or Repair Your Roof
Checking on the status of your roof is a must for fall, to make sure it’s ready for winter storms. Moreover, when you put your home on the market, you’ll want to ensure that your roof is in optimum shape since buyers will want to know that they don’t need to foot the bill for a new roof on their new home.
Fall provides the optimum weather conditions for any roof work that might need to happen because it is still warm enough for shingles to stick, but not so hot that workers and their materials are going to get overheated while working.
If a new roof is needed, you can recoup the cost when it comes time to sell your home and meanwhile have peace of mind knowing that your home will be ready to withstand the elements.
Plant or Prune Trees and Shrubs
Fall is the time to check on the status of trees and shrubs, and it’s also one of the best times of year to plant them, after leaf drop. For the foliage in your garden now, you’ll want to check on tree health and cut back any branches that might be hazardous during a storm.
It’s a good opportunity to hire a professional to assess any large trees in your yard to see if you might have a bigger maintenance project on your hands than what you can handle yourself.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
A dirty gutter might not seem like a big problem, but it can lead to serious trouble down the road. Fall is the season for cleaning these gutters and downspouts before leaf drop really starts clogging them up.
If not addressed early, overflowing gutters can send water into your home’s foundation and create a potential moisture problem that can reduce your home’s value.
Cleaning out your gutters is a must as it will help prevent ice dams from forming on your roof. Ice damming if not corrected can cause serious damage to your home including mold.
Weatherstrip Door and Window Frames
When temperatures dip, unsealed window frames and doors can bring in unwanted cool air and make it more difficult for your heating system to do its job.
Reducing air leakage in your home is a cost-effective way to make it more energy-efficient, with a home improvement project that you can likely handle yourself in one weekend.
Replacing caulking and weatherstripping are two actions to take, with caulk generally used for cracks and openings around door and window frames, and weatherstripping used to seal doors and windows that open.
Not only will you save money on your energy bill when it comes time to put your home on the market, but potential buyers will also appreciate knowing that their new home is ready to keep cool in the summer and warm in the autumn and winter.
Check Plumbing Insulation
Along with insulating doors and windows, checking in on how your pipe insulation is holding up is another fall update that can have exponential cost savings.
Both cold and warm water pipes will benefit — keeping warm water warm and cold water cold. You’ll especially appreciate this in the fall when those hot water pipes might be working overtime to keep your home and your family warm.
Indoor Upgrades
With everyone spending more time at home during fall and winter, it can be an ideal time to make some interior upgrades too. You can also use these upgrades to add value when it’s time to sell, as these upgrades can appeal to buyers by offering the amenities that real estate agents are talking about in 2021.
Home Office
As more people continue to work from home across the country, buyers are longing for home offices. A home office can be in a designated room — for example, in a guest room that serves a dual function as an office — or in the corner of a living room, dining room, or master bedroom.
Making sure your office area has access to light, and outlets to plug in computers, phones, and other electronics, are essential. You’ll appreciate the home office when you’re getting focused work done, and a future buyer will see it as a bonus that can also increase your home’s value.
From Open Floor Plan to Multi-Functional
In 2021, living rooms that open up into kitchens are out, and separate areas for cooking, lounging, and maybe working out and studying are in. Real estate agents are talking about turning open space into a divided one this fall.
To do this, you can move furniture like a sofa or a credenza to the center of a living room to create a separate space or take it a step further with a pony wall. Fall is also about keeping it cozy and a nice living room addition can be a reading nook or sitting area separate from your living room.
As the temperature dips this fall, it’s also the ideal time to work on projects that can make your home cozy and inviting for your family and future homebuyers. The upgrades have the added benefit of increasing your home’s value.
About the author: The above article on getting your house and yard ready this fall for resale value was written by the Homelight team. HomeLight provides helpful advice to buyers and sellers to make smart real estate decisions