As we sit in the cold, cloudy days of winter we look towards the upcoming change in weather that will bring sunshine and barefoot feet. It brings thoughts of fresh cut grass, budding trees, blooming shrubs and plants, clear sidewalks and driveways. 

When listing your home for sale, these are some of the items that homeowners easily forget to give their attention to. Yet these are the first things that a buyer sees. Their impression is formed within eight seconds of pulling up to your home…less time that it takes to park the car!

A little TLC and staging in your yard can make all the difference between getting an offer and a buyer walking away. Here is a lists of tips to do when listing:

1. Keep your grass mowed and watered.
2. Trim overgrown trees and shrubs; plant something new in a bare spot.
3. Ensure flower beds have colorful, complimentary flowers blooming. Add pots of flowers on decks and walk ways for pops of color.
4. Have patio furniture clean and set so people can envision entertaining there.
5. Pick up any clutter such as kids toys, unused items, etc.
6. Staging outside is just as important as inside. Create conversation spaces, kids play areas and grilling/eating areas.
7. In winter months, make sure sidewalks and driveways are clear of snow and ice.
8. Take care of small maintenance issues—refresh peeling paint, repair broken window glass and screens, replace damaged roofing or siding, and fix missing fence boards.

Following these tips will help get buyers in your front door. Making the outside just as enjoyable as the inside will get you to an offer sooner than later.

Most people are inclined to just jump in and start looking for their new home with homes that they will be entertaining there in a few weeks. However there are a few steps that buyers should implement prior to looking to save themselves and realtor time and disappointment.

1. Get your finances in order—Sounds simple, right. You have some cash for a down payment so you are ready. Cash for down payment is good, but is it enough? Talking to your lender will help anwser that question. In addition, do you have any outstanding debts, judgements or liens that may hinder your purchase? Talking with your lender will help to clear up any issues you may have and give you an amount that you have to work with for your purchase. Lenders provide a pre-approval letter that you can share with your realtor so you know what price range of homes that you can be looking at. These steps save time when making an offer, save on missed opportunities because you have to wait for approvals letter and the heartache that you look at your dream home but can’t afford it.
2. Make a wish list—Simple enough right? Having both you and your spouse sit down and make their ideal wish list and compare them is important. You both may be looking for different things in your home purchase which will certainly change what you each will want to look at. Find what you can and can’t compromise on and go from there. Think about how you will function in your home daily, how it affects your commute to work and how you see you and your family living there for many years.
3. Look and look again—A person notices different things a second time around when looking at homes. There is a lot to take in when you first look at a property. You are trying to envision your furniture in the home, picturing backyard fun and how you will fill the garage. However it is easy to miss things in the home that will help you make an informed and thorough offer on the property. It is also important to tour a home in the daylight where natural lighting gives you a better perspective.

If you, as a buyer, can invest some time into the steps of pre-approval, knowing what you want in your home and looking thoroughly, than making the offer will that much easier. 

Hope these few steps help you in your home buying process.