Whether you are putting your home on the market today or it has been on market for a while, there are some winter maintenance items you must make time for to keep your home looking fresh and safe no matter what the weather is doing outside. The house pictured above is not listed for sale, but if it were we’d have some things to think about.
Wilder Winter Tips For My Montana Friends
- If you have a driveway, clear it of snow well enough that your home is easily accessible. Missoula road conditions vary by area, but if a buyer makes it to your house, be sure they can get up the driveway.
- Clear snow from all outdoor walkways and stairs and make sure they have been deiced. You don’t want someone slipping and falling.
- Clear snow off outside decks, stairs, and walkways in the backyard. Even though the weather may be chilly, you want potential buyers to get excited about your home’s outdoor living potential after the snow melts.
- Watch for excessive snow buildup on your roof. In the event you receive an offer and the inspector will be checking the roof, you need it to be accessible.
- Tidy up any garden areas. Trim ornamental grasses and dead foliage to neaten things up and rake.
- Regularly clean your windows – inside and out. With the low winter sun coming in at an angle, smudges and dirt on the glass stand out more than ever and you need all that sun to provide light in your home.
- Keep the interior and exterior lights on unless you can come home quickly before a showing and turn them all on. You may have showings after dark and it’s always nicer (for a buyer) to walk into a warmly lit home.
Milder Winter Tips For My Seattle Friends
- In the event of a freeze, deice and clear all outdoor walkways and stairs. You don’t want someone slipping and falling.
- Clear all leaves off outside decks, stairs, and walkways in the yards. Even though the weather may be chilly, you want potential buyers to get excited about your home’s outdoor living potential.
- Blow all leaves off your roof and keep moss down. Not only do you need your roof looking neat for the potential buyer; in the event you receive an offer and the inspector will be checking the roof, you need it to be accessible.
- Tidy up any garden areas. Trim ornamental grasses and dead foliage to neaten things up and rake.
- Regularly clean your windows – inside and out. With the low winter sun coming in at an angle, smudges and dirt on the glass stand out more than ever and you need all that sun to provide light in your home.
- Keep the interior and exterior lights on at all times unless you can come home quickly before a showing and turn them all on.
In all cases, I recommend contacting your homeowners insurance company to alert them that your home is on the market as buyers and other agents will be on your grounds and they may have their own set of guidelines they want you to follow to keep everyone safe.
The winter can be a great time to get your home sold. For additional tips on the steps you should take for your particular home, please contact me at 425-829-7887 in Seattle and 406-282-4976. Or send an email to mike@mikestussy.com in Seattle and mike@mikestussymissoula.com in Montana.
