Emerald Coast Real Estate Blog

Start Preparing Your Home for Fall & Winter Now!

**Portions of this Article from Reader's Digest - https://www.rd.com/home/improvement/prepare-your-home-for-fall-and-winter/**

Now that the kids are back in school, the last Summer Holiday has passed, it's time to start thinking about getting your home ready for what the Fall & Winter could bring.

  1. Make sure your gutters are cleaned out
    Remove leaves & any other debris that has fallen into your gutters throughout the Spring & Summer.  If you live in cold weather climates any weight of snow puts undue pressure on your gutters.  They could break away from your home and your gutters wouldn't work properly in the future.
  2. Clean the Fireplace & Chimney
    Clean out all ash and charred wood from the fireplace, but if it has been awhile since you had the flue cleaned out you'll need to call a professional who'll know the best way to clean it and check the damper.  If soot builds up in the chimney it could possibly cause a fire in your home.
  3. Check out your heating system
    If it's been awhile, make sure you change out the filters, check all heating vents to make sure they're clear and not blocked or covered to help your heating be at it's best...

Why You Need to Update Your Home Before Listing it

**Posted on September 4, 2019 - 1:19 pm by Housecall**
By Anica Oaks

A home purchase is often the biggest investment a person will make in their life. When the time comes to sell your house, you want to get the best price possible. If you explore one of the many real estate sites online, you'll notice that many homeowners make a point of updating their homes before selling.

Here are a few of the many reasons why people modernize their homes before listing them:

New Buyers Don't Want to Immediately Remodel

Major remodels can create a state of chaos in a home that most new homebuyers would rather avoid. Additionally, the costs involved in buying a new home, moving and settling a family into a new space can be significant. They may not be able to do the remodeling projects that are needed for a significant period of time. Buyers will look more favorably upon and be willing to shell out more cash for a home that already has many improvements taken care of.

Strategic Updates Attract More Buyers

Individuals who are considering putting their homes on the market should understand that real estate agents do a great deal of marketing online and through social media. A good visual impression of your home will spark interest in more buyers. An updated kitchen or bathroom, fresh paint throughout the house and new flooring all provide good visual impact that will draw buyers to...