For your home to sell in today’s competitive market, it not only has to look gorgeous, but everything in it must function perfectly. If it’s like most others, it probably needs at least a few repairs. While you may intend to fix some obvious problems before putting it up for sale, there may be others things that seem too minor to merit attention. Before you let them slide, however, remember that, although you may be used to living with them, they can easily draw the attention of prospective buyers. So, before the sign goes up, scrutinize your house as closely as they will, inside and out, including the garden, the garage, and the gazebo.
First of all, the entrance to your home must be spectacular. If it makes a bad impression, you’re at an instant disadvantage. So, approach your front door as if you were a stranger and determine whether it looks warm and welcoming or run-down and repellent. Aluminum screen doors are among the most common eyesores, when they’re bent, beaten, and banged-up, with torn, sagging screens and rusty, hanging parts. If yours looks like this, remove or replace it.
You may also want to put a fresh coat of paint on the front door; and gleaming gloss paint will really make it striking. The color needn’t match other exterior colors, as long as it complements them. Just remember that gloss paint highlights imperfections, so don’t use it if your door has a lot of surface flaws.
Another huge turn-off is a deteriorating roof. Missing shingles, drooping gutters, or even a bit of moss growing on it can kill a deal. Even if you do get people into the house after they see a suspicious-looking roof, they’ll still be worrying about it – and looking for water damage inside.
Have a professional roofer replace missing or broken shingles or tiles, and remove the moss. This may require a chemical treatment, or the installation of zinc strips, which release moss-killing zinc carbonate over the roof when it rains. Always check credentials to make sure that you’re hiring a professional, as amateurs can make things worse.
Clear your gutters of all debris so that water can flow freely. If the caulk on the end caps is worn-out and letting water leak down the side of your house, re-caulk the caps with a flexible butyl caulk that’s designed for outdoor use. After cleaning and drying the gutters, apply the caulk abundantly, and spread it around inside the gutter cap seams with your finger.
One thing that you can always count on to look its best is the backyard gazebo, as long as it’s from GazeboCreations.com. Whether you already have one, or plan to get one for your new or existing home, a GazeboCreations.com gazebo will beautify your landscape and provide you with years of enjoyment.
At GazeboCreations.com, you can choose a pre-designed gazebo or customize one in a few, easy steps. With so many great options available, including insulation, storm windows, decorative railings, wiring, built-in benches, ceiling fans, and skylights, you may want to sell the house and live in the gazebo.
To see the entire gallery, visit GazeboCreations.com. To contact a design consultant or a customer service representative, call 1-888-293-2339, or e-mail cs@gazebocreations.com.