Enhance your Vermont home's curb appeal this spring by caring for your garden. With warmer weather and longer days, it's the perfect time to plant new flowers, prune trees, and get your yard in shape. Whether you're preparing for the summer season or sprucing up your home's exterior to sell, these tips will help create a beautiful and inviting outdoor space. 

1. Clean Up Your Garden Beds

Remove any dead leaves, debris or fallen branches from your garden beds. Clear out any weeds that may have sprouted and add fresh mulch to help suppress weeds and retain moisture in the soil.

2. Plant Colorful Annuals 

Planting colorful annuals is an easy way to add a pop of color to your garden. Choose flowers suitable for your local climate and soil type, and plant them in clusters to create a stunning display.

3.  Add A Container Garden 

Container gardens are a great way to add some color to your front porch and make it more welcoming. Choose containers that complement the home's exterior. Consider a potted plant or hanging flower basket. This is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to make your front porch stand out. 

4. Trim Shrubs & Trees

Overgrown shrubs and trees can detract from the overall appearance of your home's exterior. Trim them back to their natural shape, and remove any dead branches. Also, dig out or cut back any species overflowing onto your walkway or driveway or blocking any windows.

5. Add Window Boxes 

Window boxes can help elevate the overall appearance of a home and they add a charming touch to windowsills, balconies, or porches. Additionally, window boxes are a great option for those with limited garden space or who live in urban areas where outdoor gardening options may be limited.

6. Invest In Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting can highlight the beauty of your garden and add a touch of elegance to your home's exterior. Consider installing solar-powered lights along garden paths or using lights to accentuate your favorite trees or shrubs.

A well-maintained garden can make a huge difference in the appearance and value of your home, so don't hesitate to get your hands dirty and put these gardening tips into practice to boost your home's exterior this spring.

Looking to sell a property in Northwest Vermont? Consider tapping into the expertise of local real estate agents who are familiar with the market conditions, neighborhood trends, and pricing strategies that can help you get the most value for your home. With our top-tier services, you can benefit from our years of experience, negotiation skills, and access to exclusive resources that can make your transaction smoother and more successful. Some of our services include:

- Individual Property Site - HDR Photography - Professional Video Tour - Drone Photos & Video - Social Media Marketing - Web Syndication - In-house Graphic Design - Direct Mail Marketing

- Closing Coordination - Transaction Support - Email Marketing - Staging Consultation - Buyer Screening - Open House - Global Luxury Listing - Luxury Print Materials

Every situation is unique and deserves representation that will look out for your best interest, showcase your home in the best possible light and maximize exposure. Coldwell Banker Islands Realty is here to help you sell your property with confidence. To learn more about how our services can benefit you, please call us at (802) 372-5777 or connect with an agent directly.

 

 

 

Curb appeal plays a huge part in getting buyers through the door in the fall selling season. While the flowers are fading and the cold weather sets in, it doesn’t mean it is time to abandon your outdoor spaces! Take advantage of the fall ambiance and use these tips to attract potential buyers.

1. Pressure Wash & Paint

Pressure washing will clear any debris and dirt from the home's exterior. Consider adding a fresh coat of paint to the front door or trim for a quick transformation.

2. Refresh Your Old Hardware

Replacing the doorknob and purchasing new house numbers is an affordable yet impactful way to take your home’s exterior appeal to the next level.

3. Add Outdoor Decor

Pick up some pumpkins or mums to draw the eye to your front entrance. Remember to complement your home's style, but less is often more when decorating.  

4. Clean the Gutters

Clearing out the gutters is both visually appealing and essential for home maintenance. This task prevents water damage, rot, and a place for pests to nest, and it helps the overall lifespan of the roof and foundation. 

5. Keep it Light

As the sun drops earlier, outdoor lighting will help improve your nighttime curb appeal.  Add some warm outdoor lights, such as solar lights, near your walkway, or clean your existing lighting.  

 

This fall remains a great time to sell your Vermont home. These curb appeal tricks will help you to create a warm and welcoming home to get your home noticed faster. Selling a home is complicated, but our agents at Coldwell Banker Islands Realty is here to guide you through every step. 

 

 

Invest in a proven strategy when you partner with Coldwell Banker Islands Realty. Year to date, homes listed with our agency sold for 35% more* than Vermont’s average listing sales price. As a Coldwell Banker affiliated agency, we have the global brand recognition, powerful proprietary systems, and professional 360° Marketing Plan to showcase your home to its fullest potential and maximize exposure. While our reach is global, we are a locally owned and operated company that has the community network and niche market insights to get your home noticed. If you’re considering putting your home on the market, don’t leave money on the table! Call (802) 372-5777 to speak to a REALTOR® and learn how much your home could sell for in today’s market.

*$532,545 (35% Higher Avg. Sales Price for CBIR Listings compared to Vermont MLS Avg. $395,007. Data range = 1/1/2022-9/26/2022.)

When preparing your home for a showing or an open house there are a few things you will want to do before potential buyers walk through your home. Our checklist below is a great resource to read through to make sure you're prepared. 

Remove clutter.

Clear off the counters and pack unnecessary decorative items. Put extra furniture in storage, and remove out-of-season items. Don’t forget to clean out the garage, too.

Let it shine.

Cleaning windows and screens will help bring more light into your home. Replace burnt bulbs, and consider higher wattage in low-light areas. Clean the walls or brush on a fresh coat of bright, neutral paint. Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones and show off your view. 

Keep it clean.

A deep clean before listing your home will make upkeep easier. Consider hiring a cleaning service to help.

Maximize comfort.

In summer, shut A/C vents on the first floor so more air will get upstairs. Reverse the process in winter.

Perform a sniff test.

Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate odors. Open the windows to air out the house. Consider potpourri or scented candles and diffusers. For quick fixes in the kitchen, cotton balls soaked in vanilla extract or orange juice can instantly make the fridge a nicer-smelling place. Boil lemon juice in your microwave, then add it to your dishwasher to eliminate odors. You can also run lemon rinds through the garbage disposal for a similar effect.

Take care of minor repairs.

Sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well-maintained. 

Tidy up outdoors.

Cut the grass, rake the leaves, add new mulch, trim the bushes, edge the walkways, and clean the gutters. A pot of bright flowers near the entryway adds great curb appeal.

Set the scene.

A bright afghan or new accent pillows easily jazz up a dull room. Pretty dishes or a simple centerpiece on the tables can help buyers picture themselves living there. Try staging a chess game in progress. If you have a fireplace, lay fresh logs or a basket of flowers there.

Make the bath luxurious.

Make sure your personal toiletry items are out of sight, along with old towels and toothbrushes. Add a new shower curtain and fancy guest soaps. 

Send the pets to the neighbors.

If that’s not possible, crate or confine them to one room, and let the real estate practitioner know where they’ll be to eliminate surprises. 

Lock up valuables and medication.

Agents can’t watch everyone all the time.

Head out.

It can be awkward for everyone if you’re home at the time of a showing.

 

There are many factors that go into the sale of your home in addition to preparing your home, such as the listing process, navigating offers, and closing. You can depend on Coldwell Banker Islands Realty to help you make informed decisions with confidence and advocate for you throughout the selling process. Get in touch with one of our local agents today. 

 

Copyright NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Reprinted with permission.