Fall Will Be Here Before You Know It! Is Your Home Ready for Fall?

Written by Janet Helm, Realtor® Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®)  Canadian Certified Seniors Representative (CCSR)

I’m currently working with clients who are preparing their homes for a fall sale, and it’s a good reminder that the best time to get started is before you actually need to.

Whether you are planning to sell this fall or simply want to stay ahead of things, summer is a great time to tackle those jobs around the house and exterior before cooler, wetter weather arrives.

What can you tackle now?

Outside the home

• Clean gutters and downspouts
• Check the roof (have someone else climb a ladder :)) for missing or damaged shingles
• Touch up exterior paint and trim
• Prune trees and shrubs, especially anything close to the home
• Tidy garden beds and remove dead plants
• Check exterior lighting and replace burnt out bulbs
• Look at fences, gates and decks for repairs
• Clean or replace worn out house numbers and address signage
• Take a fresh look at the front door. Could it use a coat of paint, new hardware or simply a good clean?
• Trim greenery that has grown over walkways, windows or the front of the home
• Look up. Are there branches, vines or overgrown trees blocking natural light or making the home feel enclosed?
• Walk around the property at different times of day. Are there areas that feel dark or could benefit from additional lighting?
Take a look around the attic, crawlspace and other less-visible areas. Check for gaps, holes or other entry points where mice, squirrels or other critters could make themselves at home. Summer is a good time to address these before colder weather arrives. It’s also a good idea to take a look at these spaces before you sell. A buyer’s home inspection may uncover issues you weren’t aware of, and discovering them now gives you the opportunity to deal with them on your own timeline rather than being surprised during the selling process.

Around the house

• Touch up paint where needed
• Take care of those small repairs you have been putting off
• Check windows and doors for damaged seals
• Replace furnace filters and consider servicing the furnace before heating season
• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Fix dripping taps, loose handles and squeaky doors
• Replace burnt out light bulbs and consider using brighter, consistent bulbs throughout the home
• Look at light switches, outlet covers and door hardware. These small details can make a home feel more cared for
• Take a look at what is visible from the front entrance. The first few seconds inside the home matter
• Walk through your home as though you are a buyer seeing it for the first time. What catches your eye? What have you simply stopped noticing?

But before you start spending money...

This is important: every home is different.

What makes sense for one property may not make sense for another. The best return on investment will depend on the home, its condition, the neighbourhood and what buyers are looking for in that particular market. For one home, repairing or replacing an old fence might be worthwhile. For another, that money may be better spent elsewhere, or it may not be necessary at all. The same goes for paint, flooring, landscaping, bathrooms and kitchens. Just because something could be improved doesn’t mean it should be.

The goal is not to spend money simply to make your home “market ready.” It’s to understand where your time, energy and money are likely to have the greatest impact.

And here's one more idea...

Start a “sell, gift, repair or keep” pile.

As you move through your home this summer, don't just tidy. Start making decisions.

Could this go to the new home?

Should it be gifted?

Does it need to be repaired?

Or is it simply something you have been keeping because you haven't decided what to do with it?

Those little decisions add up. By the time fall arrives, you may be surprised by how much lighter and more manageable your home feels.

You don't have to wait until you're ready to list to start preparing.

When I work with my clients, we look at the home together and talk through what will actually make a difference when it comes time to sell. Not every repair, renovation or update is worth doing, and I’m happy to help you determine where your money is best spent and where it’s better to save it.

Sometimes a fresh coat of paint or a little decluttering can have more impact than a costly renovation. Other times, there may be something worth addressing before you list.

The goal isn't to make your home perfect. It’s about making smart decisions and getting the best return on the time, energy and money you put into preparing your home.

Whether you're planning to stay put or considering a move this fall, a little preparation now can make a big difference later.

You don't have to tackle everything at once. Start with the things that will make your home feel more comfortable, cared for and manageable, then work your way through the rest as time allows. A little preparation now can help you enjoy your home today, avoid surprises tomorrow and, if you decide to sell, be ready when the time is right.