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Winter Maintenance Tips for Home Sellers

Louisiana REALTORS • November 27, 2019

If you are planning to put your house on the market at the end of the year or at the beginning of the new year, there are a few essential maintenance tasks that need to be done. While maintenance is a necessary responsibility of homeownership, it becomes even more critical when you are trying to sell. Of course, there are the basics like decluttering and keeping it clean, but what else can you do to help your home sell faster and for more money?

Luckily in south Louisiana, we are typically spared of the extreme winter conditions that impact other parts of the country. This makes it easier to maintain the exterior of your home. Even though we don’t have to deal with issues that snow, sleet, ice, and salt create, we do have to tend to the other problems our tropical climate provides, like wind, rain, debris from storms, and normal wear and tear. Here are a few maintenance tips you can do this winter before your house hits the market.

Yardwork and Landscaping

Curb appeal is essential to a successful sale. While things during the winter months can look bleak. Keeping your lawn watered, fertilized, and mowed is important. Also, be sure to rake any fallen leaves and pick any weeds. While these may seem like small details, they present a home that is well cared for. You can also add some color and vibrancy by planting some new flowers or hanging some new baskets.

Paint

Painting is an affordable, easy way to update and upgrade the appearance of your home. Lighter and more neutral colors are the way to go when preparing your house to be sold . Remember, not every room needs to be painted, only the ones that could use a fresh coat. This is also an excellent time to remove any wallpaper. Wallpaper is a dated design feature, and replacing it with paint can help to maintain the perception of your asking price. If it’s been several years since the exterior of your home has had a touchup, it may be worth the time and money to repaint. First impressions are priceless, and just like landscaping, new paint can provide the ideal introduction.

  Functionality

Everything in the home needs to be functional. A sticking doorknob or creaky cabinet door can immediately raise a red flag for a prospective buyer. Be sure that everything works as it should. From something as small as a lightbulb to as big as your garage door, these are are the details that can make or break a sale. While many of these tasks are easy to check and address, some may be more intensive. This is where a home inspection before you list your house can be beneficial.

At the end of the day, working with a knowledgeable and professional REALTOR® as your partner will help get your home sold. REALTORS® that work on your behalf, understands what small adjustments are needed to market your home and attract the right set of buyers.   

Consumer Guide Update: Homeowners Associations

By Louisiana REALTORS® • March 21, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on homeowners associations (HOAs). This guide covers the basics of what prospective buyers need to know, including who runs HOAs, how monthly fees are applied, rules HOAs enforce, and the pros and cons of living in an HOA community. For additional information, we encourage you to check out this REALTOR® Magazine article on the nuances of how homeowners associations can affect real estate transactions. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Homeowners Associations Marketing Your Home Seller Disclosures Property Taxes Preparing for Homeownership Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover navigating multiple offers.
Louisiana Real Estate Legislation Advocacy: How REALTORS® Can Make a Difference

Louisiana Real Estate Legislation Advocacy: How REALTORS® Can Make a Difference

By Louisiana REALTORS® • March 17, 2025
Discover how REALTORS® play a key role in legislative advocacy, ensuring that real estate rules and regulations protect brokers, clients, and the market. Learn about the benefits and opportunities they provide.

Consumer Guide Update: Marketing Your Home

By Louisiana REALTORS® • March 14, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on marketing a home. This guide covers several methods for sellers to consider, including setting up showings, hosting open houses, and maximizing the visual appeal of a home through staging and/or cosmetic updates. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Marketing Your Home Seller Disclosures Property Taxes Preparing for Homeownership Escrow and Earnest Money Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover homeowners associations.
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