Are you starting to feel like you’re in prison? Granted it’s a really nice prison and you’re enjoying the views, but since you haven’t left recently, even the beach gets redundant. Welcome to what I’ve started calling “Prison in Paradise.”
Staying home for so many months either because of schooling or job or just plain not being able to travel has made everyone start noticing the things in your home you wanted to change. This has driven the home improvement frenzy we’re experiencing. Home Depot, Lowe’s and other home improvement stores were deemed essential services during the lockdowns in many states and allowed to remain open. In fact, Home Depot has been running an increase of at least 35% of its business from last year since April.
Americans stuck at home without much to do have started painting, building, fixing and decorating, long overdue home improvements. Government stimulus checks and stay-at-home meals have put some extra money in the pockets of many people and they are putting it to good use, especially if they’re thinking about selling.
Curb appeal is an old real estate adage that never loses its importance and this is a good place to start. There are buyers who won’t get out of their car if they see something they don’t like and it can be something very minor like a broken flowerpot or walkways in need of repair. Little things like doorknobs that are loose or worn, peeling paint or rotting wood around doors and windows send the wrong message.
We live on an island. Paint your front door with a bold hue, reminding buyers you live on the coast. Add a colorful piece of furniture to cozy up the entry and add plants or replace the ones that are starting to get tired. Lighting outside is also important, so a few walkway lights highlighting your manicured lawn will start to make a difference going into the winter months when sunset comes early.
Whenever I talk about getting your home ready for sale, I always mention clean windows. It may seem like a logical and little thing, but believe me, if you live on or near the water, clean windows are a constant challenge and one you need to be especially vigilant of when selling.
The other thing I always talk about is removing objects from your home. Clean off countertops in both kitchen and bathrooms. It’s nice to have some family photos, but walls and walls and tables covered with them are only a distraction to potential buyers. Same with any collections you have displayed on shelves or bookcases. The less stuff you have, the larger your living space will appear. Turn the lights on, open the window coverings and illuminate any dark corners.
This sprucing up comes at an opportune time for Anna Maria and the coastal communities of Manatee County. Typically, homeowners who may be thinking about placing their property on the market would be getting ready to work on their punch list before selling. Now, however, many of the jobs are already done and even though the summer market has been really good, we can anticipate that the fall and winter market will be even better.
Think of your home as purchasing a really elegant dress and then adding shabby, worn shoes. Peeling paint, dead plants and broken walkways are the shabby shoes of your home. Keep painting and stay safe.
