Consider some of these drought tolerant plants:
Annuals – geraniums, marigolds, pansies and snapdragons
Perennials – purple coneflower, blackeyed susans, mums, daylilies, hosta and sedum

These are great ways to keep your house’s curb appeal up – even when there’s no rain coming down.

For more information, check out these websites:
North Carolina Cooperative Extension
North Carolina Botanical Garden

It may be easy for you to overlook cracked tiling in the kitchen, holes from your son’s errant baseball, that dripping faucet in the laundry room, but for a prospective buyer, these are red flags that may indicate your home hasn’t been well maintained.

Here’s a list of some easy fixes to problems that you might overlook:

Open and shut. Make sure that each door in your home closes and locks properly. Buyers may mistakenly think that a sagging door signals a serious foundation problem.

Light work. Put in new light bulbs in every room. The clean, bright light from a new bulb will make your home shine.

Squeaky clean. Clean your home from the attic to the basement! Don’t forget to dust blinds, vaccuum out light fixtures, and wash fingerprints off odd spots – like the ceiling. Pay particular attention to the windows. Recently, I found myself frantically cleaning some dirty windows at a home that I listed and that house sold in a week. (Your mileage may vary – but clean windows won’t hurt!)

Under pressure. Pressure wash the exterior of your home. Make sure you clean all of the exterior of the house itself – bricks and siding, foundation and eaves. You should also pay particular attention to the steps, porches, decks, sidewalks, and driveways. Every inch of your home should be pristine.

Worn out. Replace anything worn. Take a look at faucets and other plumbing fixtures. Check your light fixtures; make sure your switches aren’t cracked or dirty. Examine rugs in entry ways, carpet on the steps, handles on your cabinets.

Yard for sale. Get your yard in shape. Trim bushes and weed your flower beds. Make sure your lawn is edged and mulched nicely. It’s been really dry lately in Chapel Hill, so if you have plants that look anemic, water and fertilize them – or replace them as needed. Remove any branches or leaves from your yard.

Up on the roof. Check your roof and gutters for damage, dirt, leaves, and debris. Give a good initial clean out, and then keep your eye on it after any rain or wind.

Got your number. Make sure your house number is easily visible from the street. You want every buyer to find you easily!

So go ahead. Sweat the small stuff. These little things may just make your home sell a whole lot faster!

PS Don’t forget that staging your house for sale is another great way to get your house sold!

Here are a few routine steps that pay off in the long run:

1. “Feed me, Seymour!” Start with low-maintenance landscaping and include slow-growing plants. It’s amazing how quickly a fast growing hedge or plant grouping can morph into something like Little Shop of Horrors’ “mean green mother from outer space.” Keep your yard looking groomed.

2. Mulch the front garden at least once a year, either in spring or fall. With a little “Round-up” applied strategically and fresh mulch, you can do away with many intrusive weeds. Trim hedges, deadhead plants, and mow frequently.

3. Front Door Man…or Woman. That first impressions count! Fresh paint is an inexpensive update. Check the threshold and look for a good seal.

4. Look Through My Window. Freshly caulk your windows. Not only will you save on your energy bills, but you’ll impress experienced and first-time home buyers with your attention to details.

5. Powder Room Prowess or All is Vanity. Check out your vanity, from the countertop to the storage below. Check the faucets closely and replace washers as necessary. Hard water can brutalize the inner workings of a spigot. Re-caulk the tile around the tub, and check the flooring for any water damage.

6. Soul Kitchen. More accurately, the kitchen is the heart and soul of your home. Does the back splash tiling need to be re-caulked? Check the inner workings of your faucet, and check under your sink for possible leaks. Pay attention to the flooring around your dishwasher. Are there signs of leakage?

7. Up on the Roof. It’s clichéd but true that a stitch in time saves nine. Roof repairs done quickly can prevent further damage, make your roof last longer and save money. Know the age of your roof. A repair journal or receipts in a home repair file are impressive.

8. Light my fire. Or at least check out your furnace. Change the filters as needed. Again, a repair journal can help you remember your timing.

For more tips on preserving the value of your home, give me a call. I can help you with more home maintenance tips, and when it’s time – I’ll help you get your house sold!