If selling your home is a possibility this spring, now is a good time to start planning. While it may feel early, preparing ahead of time can make the process smoother and less stressful—and often leads to better results. Small, thoughtful steps taken now can help you feel more confident when it’s time to list.

Here are a few practical things Vermont homeowners can do now to get ahead of the spring real estate market.

1. Take an Honest Walk-Through of Your Home

Walk through your home as if you were seeing it for the first time. Pay attention to first impressions. What feels dated, cluttered, or worn? What areas catch your eye right away—for better or worse? 

This exercise can help you identify which updates or improvements will have the most impact, and which areas may need attention before photos and showings.

2. Start Decluttering (Earlier Than You Think)

Decluttering is one of the most effective (and time-consuming) ways to prepare a home for sale. Starting early allows you to work gradually rather than rushing later.

Focus on:

• Kitchen counters and open shelving: Clear surfaces help signal ample storage and make spaces feel more functional.

• Entryways: A tidy, welcoming entrance sets the tone for the rest of the home.

• Closets: Buyers look closely at storage. Reorganizing or thinning out items can make closets feel more spacious.

Decluttering also helps you decide what you’ll keep, donate, or store ahead of your move.

3. Tackle Small Repairs

Minor issues tend to stand out to buyers and can affect overall impressions. Addressing them now allows you to spread the work over time or schedule help as needed.

Common items to check include:

• Loose door handles or cabinet hardware

• Minor drywall cracks or nail pops

• Dripping faucets or running toilets

• Sticky doors or windows

These are often simple fixes that can make a noticeable difference.

4. Freshen High-Impact Areas

A full renovation isn’t necessary, but freshening up key spaces with paint can go a long way. Light, neutral paint colors help rooms feel brighter and more inviting. Pay attention to scuffed baseboards or trim as well. 

5. Begin Planning for Outdoor Appeal

Spring buyers notice curb appeal. Consider what someone sees as they arrive—driveway, walkways, main entrance, or decks. Creating a plan now for yard cleanup or light landscaping can help your property shine once the season changes.

6. Think About Timing and Goals

As you work through these tasks, start thinking about your next steps. What timing works best for you? What are your priorities for the sale? Are you aiming for a fast sale, price, or a balance of both? Having clarity around your goals helps create a smoother path forward.

Final Thought
Preparing your home for sale is as much about planning as it is about presentation. Taking these steps now can reduce stress later and help you feel ready when spring arrives. If you’re considering selling and would like guidance tailored to your home and timeline, our team is happy to offer local insight—no pressure, just information to help you plan with confidence.

Fall in Vermont is a magical time of year. As the vibrant hues of summer fade into the crisp shades of fall, our homes undergo a transformation too. Creating curb appeal isn't just vital when you're selling your home; it's about taking pride in your property and making it a welcoming haven for your family and guests. A well-maintained exterior not only leaves a lasting impression on visitors but also adds value to your property. This fall, seize the opportunity to elevate your home's charm. Below are five easy ways to boost your curb appeal during this enchanting season.

1. Embrace Fall Foliage

The natural beauty of fall presents an excellent opportunity to enhance your home's curb appeal. Planting seasonal flowers like chrysanthemums, pansies, or marigolds can add vibrant pops of color. Additionally, consider incorporating autumnal elements like pumpkins, gourds, and hay bales into your landscaping. These simple touches can transform your outdoor space into a warm and inviting sanctuary. 

 

2. Illuminate Your Entryway 

As the days grow shorter, adequate lighting becomes crucial. Upgrade your outdoor lighting fixtures to create a warm ambiance. Consider adding path lights along the walkway and installing a stylish pendant light or a pair of sconces near the entrance. Proper lighting not only enhances safety but also highlights the architectural features of your home, boosting its overall appeal.

3. Revitalize Your Front Door: 

Your front door is a focal point that can greatly influence your home's curb appeal. This fall, consider giving your door a fresh coat of paint in a bold, autumn-inspired color such as deep red, rich brown, or forest green. Don't forget to polish the hardware or even invest in a new doorknob and knocker to complete the look. A well-maintained and visually appealing front door instantly elevates your home's charm.

4. Tend to Your Lawn and Garden: 

Fall is the perfect time to prepare your lawn and garden for the upcoming seasons. Rake fallen leaves, trim overgrown bushes, and remove any dead plants. Invest in quality mulch to nourish your garden beds and protect your plants during the colder months. A manicured lawn and well-tended garden not only enhance your home's curb appeal but also create a serene outdoor space for relaxation.

5. Spruce Up The Exterior of Your Home

One of the most overlooked aspects of curb appeal is the cleanliness of your home's exterior. Over the year, dirt, grime, and debris can accumulate on your house, making it look worn and unkempt. This fall, make it a priority to assess the exterior of your home and consider cleaning the gutters, pressure washing your siding, and/or washing your windows. Clean gutters will not only look good, it will ensure water flows properly away from your home preventing future issues during the winter. Pressure washing will remove stubborn stains, dirt, and cobwebs restoring the siding's original color. A good window washing will enhance the view and appearance of your home. 

 

Boosting your curb appeal this fall isn't just a way to impress potential buyers; it's a means of expressing your pride in your home and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere for everyone who visits. By embracing the beauty of fall, focusing on illumination, revitalizing your front door, tending to your lawn and garden, and paying attention to the exterior details, you can transform your home into a stunning masterpiece. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your gardening tools, and get ready to enhance your home's appeal this fall. Your dreamy, autumn-inspired abode awaits!

Want a professional opinion on how to improve your home? Connect with a real estate expert today.

Before you list your Vermont property there are several things to-do before. Taking the time to do these things will help you be better prepared when your home goes on the market. This can also make the sale process quicker and easier in the long run. Here are a few items to take care of before you put your home on the market. 

1. Consider a pre-sale home inspection.
An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.

2. Organize and clean.
Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and seasonal items. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.

3. Get replacement estimates.
Do you have big-ticket items that will need to be replaced soon? Find out how much it will cost to repair an older roof or replace worn carpeting, even if you don’t plan to do so. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and they’ll be handy when negotiations begin.

4. Locate warranties.
Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer/dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house. It may seem like this task can be left until closing, but you don’t want lost paperwork or last-minute scrambling to cause the deal to fall through.

5. Spruce up the curb appeal.
Walk out to the front of your home, close your eyes, and pretend you’re a prospective buyer seeing the property for the first time. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? What do you see framing the entrance, if anything? Is the walkway free of cracks and impediments?

 

Selling a home is a complicated process, but Coldwell Banker Islands Realty will guide you every step of the way. To get a better idea of the value of your home fill out a comparative market analysis form and one of our experienced Realtors will give you an evaluation. 

When selling a property, photos are the first impression a buyer will have so it is paramount to have great images that capture the character, main features, and layout of your home. With the majority of buyers shopping for homes online, these high-resolution listing photos and video home tours are a must. Here are some tips on how to make your Vermont home shine on camera.

• Understand the camera’s perspective.

The camera’s eye is different from the human eye. It magnifies clutter and poor furniture arrangement so that even a home that feels comfortable in person can look jumbled online.

• Make it spotless.

Cameras also tend to magnify grime. Don’t forget floor coverings and walls; a spot on a rug might be overlooked during a regular home showing, but it could become a focal point online.

• Know what to leave.

You want to avoid clutter, but try to have three items of varying heights on each surface. On an end table you can place a tall lamp (high), a small plant (medium), and a book (low).

• Snap practice pictures with your own camera.

This will give you an idea of what the home will look like on camera before the photographer shows up. Examine the photos and make changes to improve each room’s appearance, such as opening blinds to let in natural light, removing magnets from the refrigerator, or taking down distracting art.

• Pare down.

Removing one or two pieces of furniture from each room, even if just for the shoot, can make your space appear larger on screen.

• Rearrange.

Spotlight the flow of your space by creating a focal point on the furthest wall from the doorway and arranging the other pieces of furniture to make a triangle shape. The focal point may be a bed in a bedroom or a china cabinet in a dining room.

• Accessorize.

Include a healthy plant in every room; the camera loves greenery. Energize bland decor by placing a bright vase on a mantle or draping an afghan over a couch.

• Keep the home in shape.

Buyers who liked what they saw online expect to encounter the same home in person.

 

At Coldwell Banker Islands Realty, we use High Dynamic Range photography to captivate buyers. This technique involves shooting multiple images of the same scene at different exposure values and then merging them together to create a seamless scene. This, coupled with light editing, makes homes stand out online while maintaining its true depiction. HDR Photography is just one of the many marketing strategies we use to get you home noticed and sold. Learn more about our marketing services or reach out to a Realtor for a personal consultation.