Hurrican Irene, several severe summer storms, record heat, record snowfall... 2011 has been particularly challenging for homeowners in the Northeast. And Montgomery County PA has been no exception. There has been a lot of damage from downed trees, ice, snow, wind and rain. Missing roof shingles, loose siding, damaged gutters, peeling paint, dead landscaping - all side effects of a grueling year of weather.
Even if your home is not up for sale at the moment, homeowners should think about the curb appeal of their home. This is a must for anyone considering a sale within the next year.
The exterior appearance of a home says a lot about the homeowner. When someone takes meticulous care of their lawn and the exterior of a home, it is a pretty good bet that the interior is just as well cared for. And that is the impression a seller wants to convey to potential buyers.
Often times a buyer will drive by a home before they even decide whether or not to make an appointment to see the inside. Here are a few simple things you can do now to prepare for those “drive-bys” in the Spring:
· A beautiful lawn is not grown overnight. It takes time and care. If your lawn looks like it needs help, fall is an excellent time to aerate and seed the lawn as the cooler temperatures provide ideal growing conditions. Don’t wait until spring and be sure to keep the weeds at bay by using some type of weed killer. 
· If you lost any trees or landscaping from the harsh last winter or the severe summer storms, now is the time to remove or replace the dead or damaged landscaping. If the plan is to simply remove it, be sure to grind out the stumps, add back topsoil and allow time for the ground to settle and grass to grow.
· Now is a good time to prune the trees, especially the ones in the front of the home to “open up” the house to someone driving by. Trim back all the low branches that block the view. Also freshly pruned trees always look much better after a few months have gone by.
· If you want color blooms throughout the seasons, consult a professional about the kinds of trees, shrubs and grasses that 
make this happen. For example, Winterberry and golden twig dogwood add color during winter months. Plant them now.
· If your neighbor’s yard is a bit unsightly, you can add a screening hedge of arborvitae. They need time to grow.
· Scrape and paint any chipping paint around doors and windows. An FHA appraiser is going to make a seller do it anyway. Might as well get the benefit of that freshly painted appearance before making the sale (not after).
· Paint the front door. Change the color now, then you will have a bit of time to decide if you like it.
· Seal the driveway before the winter’s cold gets another “crack” at it.
· Repair any concrete walkways now. Come spring, it still may be too cold and too late for your desired timing to put your house on the market.
· Make any needed repairs. Have a roofer replace any missing shingles, tack back any loose siding, repoint any cracked stonework, etc.
If you get the big stuff done now, you will have time in the Spring to really fine tune the curb appeal and wow potential buyers.
Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 for help buying or selling a home in Lansdale, Harleysville, Hatfield, Souderton, Skippack, Collegeville, North Wales and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County of Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery County Click Here.
Cleaning Up After Irene... AGAIN. How is the curb appeal of your home holding up after all the bad weather in 2011? - Copyright © 2011, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.
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