5 unsightly red flags that drive home buyers away

In many places, home prices are heading up and more buyers are hitting the market. If you're selling, you obviously want to get the best price, but don't want to spend a lot on renovations. Fair enough! However, studies show there are five issues you really should address, because they turn off home buyers right away. Fix these and you have your best shot at selling your home in less time for more money. Best of all, you can tackle these issues yourself for not very much money.

1. Paint problems. Peeling paint on siding and trim makes a house look uncared for and results in lower offers from buyers. Inside, walls painted colors that are dark, like navy, or unusual, like hot pink, are a complete buyer turnoff. But painting is an easy and inexpensive do-it-yourself fix.


2. Unkempt landscaping. Your home's curb appeal can make or break a sale. Get out the clippers, pruning shears, and rake, and weed and mulch the beds. It doesn't take that long to spruce up your landscaping, but it can pay big dividends.


3. Wallpaper and paneling. Outdated wallpaper can really throw buyers. It takes time to strip and repaint, but it's worth it. Have a wallpaper stripping party, or hire a company to do the stripping and repaint the walls yourself. Paneling is tougher because removing it can uncover problems. Painting it may or may not work. Talk to your realtor to decide the best route.


4. Mirrored walls. Big walls of mirrors or mirror tiles just don't fly with most buyers who think removing them is a major project. Take them down yourself; repairs shouldn't be that difficult, and then just repaint. To avoid paint matching problems, either use an accent color or repaint the whole room.


5. Closet doors. Buyers lose their enthusiasm for a place when closet doors are missing, out of adjustment, or if they've been replaced with drapes or beads. Make sure all closets have doors installed, adjusted, and properly working. 

As a buyer, when you see these problems in a home you otherwise like, realize that you could be looking at a bargain. Walk away if exterior paint issues indicate severe moisture problems. But the rest of these conditions are minor issues that you can fix yourself for not much money.

Fall Cleaning To-Do List

Fall is in the air.  With a new season comes another to-do list.  Even the newest of homes demand occasional upkeep so take the time to walk around your home and make a mental list of those items in need of attention.  With fall fully upon us and winter just around the corner, here's a brief list of items to tackle, one at a time, so you can settle in for a worry-free winter.

Roof

• Inspect your shingles once a year.  Check for cracked, cupped, curling or broken shingles.  Pay attentions to the f lashings as well and call a recommended roofer for further concerns.  (I have names)
• Trim away any tree limbs that hang over the roof, especially branches that touch the shingles, which make them wear out faster.

Gutters

• Clear gutters of debris with a trowel.
• Flush gutters and downspouts with a garden hose to clear away remaining sludge, and to get a look at how well the water drains.  A leaky or overflowing gutter can cause fascia boards to rod.

Paint

• Wash away mold and mildew with a solution of one part household bleach and three parts water.
• Brick and stone veneers can accumulate a powdery surface deposit called efflorescence.  It's harmless and can be scrubbed away, but it's also a sign of water infiltration.  Seal any cracks you find with masonry caulk and brush a masonry sealer over the entire surface.

Windows

• Replace broken pains and check all seals, replacing as necessary.
• Scrape off and replace any glazing putty/caulk that is cracked or has pulled away from the glass.

Lawn

• Bare spots should be reseeded and top-dressed with a thin layer of soil.
• Fix small drainage problems by filling low spots with fresh soil.
• Allowing fallen leaves accumulate on grass can kill it; rake them away or use a mulching mower to chop them for compost
• When the lawn stops growing and goes dormant, give it a final cut that's a little shorter than usual.  Then spread a fertilizer that's the right mixture for fall and winter.

Garden

• Identify which shrubs should be protected and shelter them with burlap.
• Rake beds clean of leaves and other debris.  Then add a layer of compost and peat moss to improve nitrogen levels.

Alike anytime of year, should you need the help of a qualified expert, please just ask me.  I have a list of reputable local contractors from roofers to masons, designers to landscapers.