Believe it or not, fall is right around the corner. For many of us, this means unpacking our sweaters and looking forward to the holidays. For the ones who want to sell their homes, however, now is the time to get a head start on home improvement projects. Getting your home up to speed is not only important for getting your home up to code, it’s also a must if you want your home to stand out against the rest. Since the country opened up more with the pandemic, the real estate market has been quite busy. Stay on top of the competition with these top home improvements for 2021.
Prioritize Curb Appeal
When we say “curb appeal,” we mean anything visible from the front of your house. Whether you have a lawn, porch, fence, garden, or all of the above, get a move on with making the outside look its best before it gets cold out. See what has been looking dirty and drab and take care of that first. Start with mowing the lawn, pressure washing the house, trimming/pruning trees and shrubs, and even applying fresh paint to some surfaces. If it’s in your budget, consider planting some fall friendly flowers and plants or putting up some festive decorations.
Check on the Heating and Plumbing
Something that should be at the top of everyone’s fall home maintenance checklist is to make sure that the HVAC and plumbing systems are at the top of their game. When the colder months come, these units are at an especially high risk for failure or breakage if the temperature were to fluctuate dramatically. Inspecting your heater and plumbing system and fixing any major issues will keep your home safe from damage caused by burst pipes or a failed heating system.
Clean Up and Declutter
Nothing you do to your house is going to look good if your home is a mess. If you plan on selling, now is the time to get rid of any belongings that don’t serve a purpose. This can include appliances, tools, knick-knacks, clothing, food, and more. Sell newer items online and donate whatever your local thrift shop will accept. Once your home is free of unnecessary items, start to reorganize and rethink storage spaces. Be creative with wall shelves and storage bins. The lack of clutter and new space will help you relax this fall when trying to prepare for moving.
Start Necessary Repair Projects
After your home is cleaned up and ready for the cold, get a head start on any repair projects that your home has been needing. Whether this means new lighting fixtures, a new sink, or a fixed hole in the drywall, now is the perfect time to take care of these. If you are also purchasing a new home and need to stay within the budget provided by a home affordability calculator, choose projects that will come with a high return on investment. Taking on projects that are going to be costly and time consuming is pointless unless these projects are necessary to pass an inspection.
Right after a busy summer and right before the holidays, autumn is the perfect season to complete necessary improvement projects. The tasks listed above along with anything else that is going to make your home appear better on the market are what you should focus on.
