Erica McDonald Real Estate

More Tips! TOP 10 WAYS TO PREP YOUR HOME'S EXTERIOR FOR THE SPRING MARKET The busy spring market will be upon us before you know it, so here are some tips for getting the exterior of your home shipshape:... 1. Remove glass from light fixtures and take out any little critters that may have found a home over the winter. Be sure to use glass cleaner on the panes before replacing them in your fixtures. 2. Clean and polish, if necessary, your front door’s hardware. Replace it as well if necessary. 3. Check your house numbers. Are they still in good shape and visible from the street? If not, replace them. 4. Wash down your front door and garage door. If you find that the previous summer’s sun has faded the paint, consider repainting. (Your garage door should be painted a color that blends in with the brick or vinyl siding on your home.) Before painting, check with the paint manufacturer to see what the optimal outdoor temperature should be. You don’t want to paint when it’s still too cold outside. 5. Wash the windows. If this isn’t your strong suit, hire a professional. 6. Remove debris from your gutters and drain spouts. 7. Rake the lawn. However, before doing that it’s very important to check with your local garden center first to be sure it’s not too early. If raked too soon before the ground thoroughly dries, you could potentially damage your lawn. 8. Tidy up your gardens in preparation for planting season. 9. If you don’t use your barbeque year round, it’s time to bring it out. If it’s a built-in unit that will be staying with the house, be sure to clean the grills and wash down the lid. If you have a cover for it, replace it if it’s worn. 10. Bring out your patio furniture and set it up. Although it may be too cold to sit outside just yet, you want potential buyers to see your outdoor living space’s potential.

GREAT Article. Time to act is NOW! http://money.cnn.com///economy/housing-recovery/index.html