Georgia Real Estate Voice: Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Decatur GA - Part 3

Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Decatur GA - Part 3 of this series  covers the exterior and curb appeal.  You've probably seen the HGTV shows on Curb Appeal, you've probably heard the buzz words. What's it mean to you as a home seller in Decatur GA?

Curb Appeal can be the difference between someone actually stopping to see your home or just driving by. Most home buyers think that if it doesn't look good on the outside. it can't possibly look good on the inside. I have been with buyers when as we pull up to the house, they say "Ugh, let's just skip this one." Don't let that happen to you as you sell your Decatur GA home. 

• Start with clean. Pressure wash the driveway, the siding, the steps. A driveway with dirt stains or a home with mildew on the sides just doesn't look appealing. You don't have to buy a pressure washer. (Then you'd have to store it too.) They can be rented for a reasonable price at stores like Lowes and Home Depot. Check with your local hardware store or tool rental place.
• Rake up leaves, trim the bushes, mow and edge the lawn. Bushes should not block the windows and they should not overrun the driveway. Bushes that are too big crowding the driveway, make the driveway appear too small. Nobody likes that.
• Bushes should be below the window height, allowing as much natural light into the home as possible. They also need to be trimmed so that they are not touching the side of the house causing possible damage to the siding and allowing easy entry for insects.
• Clean the gutters and make sure there is no debris on the roof. I use a company called Atlanta's Best Gutter Cleaners to clean my gutters twice a year. It's $120 per visit for my house and well worth it. These guys are have been in business more than 14 years and are insured. 770-677-6690.  Clogged gutters not only look unsightly, they can cause damage that is easily preventable. Clogged gutters will back up and can end up leaking into the house.
• If the mailbox has faded, paint it. It's part of the whole package. We just negotiated with a painting company to come into the neighborhood and paint everyone's mailbox and post for $20 each. It's an inexpensive thing to give appeal right from the curb.  
• The front door needs to be clean and in good working order. If it sticks, fix it. The door should be clean. A fresh coat of paintworks wonders. The hardware should be shiny. If it's faded, replace it. If the key sticks in the door, use some WD-40 to lubricate the lock. WD-40 also works great on hinges and gates that squeak. WD-40 can help sliding glass doors slide more smoothly in the tracks. Use it there only after cleaning the track first!  Put a shiny new door knocker up or spray paint the one you have. Make sure the door bell works. (Home Buyers will test it.) If the push button on the door bell is cracked or worn, replace it.
• Put a fresh clean welcome mat at the front door. This will help to keep your home cleaner too.
• Plant some seasonal flowers for a punch of color. Choose low maintenance. In Decatur GA drought tolerant plants would be a good thing.
• If the paint is peeling or faded, a fresh coat will make a world of difference. Plus, if there is unprotected wood it will rot. Replace rotted trim, prime and paint it. Rotted wood often comes up in a home inspection. If there's enough of it, it can cause a buyer to walk away during their due diligence period. 

 Stay tuned for the next post in this series of Getting your Home Ready to Sell!

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in or around Decatur, GA contact local expert and Realtor Jen Bowman, Broker Associate & e-PRO with Success Realty at 404-456-5024.

View more of the Georgia Real Estate Voice.  Search Decatur GA homes for Sale

See Part 1 of Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Decatur GA - Kitchens

See Part 2 of Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Decatur GA-  Garage