Winter Curb Appeal matters!

With Thanksgiving so late this year, I have been admittedly slow to shifting our curb appeal to Winter mode.  I am happy to report that as of this afternoon, Winter has officially kissed the front porch of Casa de Nenonen...

Nothing punches up drab winter curb appeal like the warm touch of birch and pine?! As a member of Team WhyOverComplicate, I prefer to steer clear of holiday-specific themes in lieu of items of longevity that can appropriately remain up throughout the season until we are blessed with Spring.  

Seller Tip: What is your season?

In a perfect world, every garden would be well-planned and balanced to have something lush, pretty, and in bloom throughout the entire growing cycle.  Creating a Midwest flower-filled garden that blooms from Spring through Fall is not as challenging as it may seem, but it does require careful planning and plant selection. 

Realistically, however, most yards evolve over time and over several different owners and their individual taste and dedication. Add in four very distinct Midwest seasons, including harsh winter dormancy, and friends... it is a challenge to maintain a year-round photogenic house.  As a result, most St. Louis yards have their season, or that short window of time when the curb appeal truly sparkles as the plants are in full-bloom beauty.  

Some yards shine during early Spring, with an abundance of bulb perennials like tulips and daffodils and lovely flowering trees like dogwoods. Some yards look best in early Summer, painted with blooms of azalea and peony. Other yards, like mine, look their best at the tail end of summer when the mature flowering bushes like hydrangea and crêpe myrtle are bursting with color and the annuals are in peak mature flowering season.  

As a Homeowner, it is prudent to know your season. When does your curb appeal look its best?  If the answer is NOW and you are considering listing your house over the next year, I am addressing you...  

If you are considering listing your home during our swift late-Winter, early Spring 2020 market (Feb- April), which ironically is one of the worst times to photograph a house in the Midwest, the time to photograph the exterior is NOW.  Even if you plan to list in May, but your best curb appeal season is August, I recommend a few professional exterior photos be taken now.

I cannot speak for other Realtors, however, I happily pay for professional photography for all of my Sellers out of my own pocket.  There is nothing better than the ability to add mature yard and garden shots to an early Spring listing as it REALLY sets the home apart from the competition.  Why leave your yard to a Buyer's imagination when you can advertise the beauty that they are actually shopping?

Plan to list in 2020 and you would like to discuss photography?  Email me at Carrie.Nenonen@cbgundaker.com or call at 314.298.5275.

If contemplating a move in 2020, the time to start interviewing Realtors is now.  The time to start preparing and planning is now, as well!  I would love to be considered. Let's connect...

Winter Curb Appeal - It matters, Sellers!

Yesterday afternoon, I showed a handful of properties to a client of mine, most notably a gorgeous home in Clayton mere steps from Forest Park.  While we had a record snow storm here in St. Louis over the weekend, Mother Nature has been kind over the past 2 days with clear skies.  I was shocked to pull up and discover that the Seller didn't bother to salt or shovel the walkway or driveway.  In fact, the Seller made zero attempt to ensure that we could safely enter the property.

Not good.

Needless to say, my client was turned off before we even entered the door after trekking through 10 inches of snow in normal street shoes.  Is your house listed right now or do you have plans to list your home soon, as we continue to battle Winter?  If so, this blog entry is for you!

Perhaps the biggest challenge to a Midwest Winter Seller, despite a smaller Buyer Pool, is the inability to visually capture a Buyer immediately.  The fact is, curb appeal matters and winter in St. Louis is dreary and sloppy for the most part. The 1st impression is almost always the lasting impression when it comes to real estate.  First impressions are everything and achieving a welcoming curb appeal during the gray winter months can be TOUGH!

Studies show that a Buyer typically decides within two minutes whether they like your home or not, as they start forming their opinion before they even walk through the front door!  Hence, it is VITAL for your home to be as presentable as it can be to ensure a quick sale at a top dollar price.

During the Spring and Summer months, I recommend fresh mulch, flowers, and colorful touches to my clients.   Unfortunately, however, during the gray winter months... a Seller doesn't have those options.  Hence, a warm and inviting curb appeal may be difficult to achieve during the Winter!    

Over my 17+ years in the business, I have compiled numerous winter curb appeal tips that I pass along to my Sellers to amp up the marketability of their properties during the colder months.

Curb appeal and winter safety matters to you too, Winter Sellers.  Do NOT ignore it or you are kissing money goodbye.

Are you in St. Louis, considering a move in 2019, and still interviewing Realtors?  I would love the opportunity to speak with you and appreciate your consideration!  Learn more about me at www.MoveWithCarrie.com, see what my clients have to say about me HERE, or call me at 314.298-5275 to find out how much your house is worth.

Autumn Curb Appeal in St. Louis...

One of my absolute favorite aspects of having a Buyer-heavy Fall season is enjoying neighborhood autumnal sights! While many homes take the SPOOKtacular approach to October, other local Homeowners stick to the basics and keep it classic.  

How lovely are these porches that I encountered this week... 

Often times, less is more and the most simple changes pack the biggest visual punch! If you don't like to decorate-to-the-max, consider small seasonal changes to amp up your Fall curb appeal: a fresh autumn wreath, dress up your current established topiaries, yank your summer-tired urn plantings in lieu of a simple pumpkin, or replace your flower bed annuals with mums.  

Curb Appeal Tip: When all else fails, mulch it!

Don't underestimate the makeover power of a quick and inexpensive fresh layer of mulch, Homeowners!

Mulch is the easiest way to instantly spruce up your flower beds and borders, taking your curb appeal to the next level. Selling your house or prepping for summer soirees?  May is the time to add mulch in St. Louis.  It is great for your plants AND makes your outside space more visually appealing.

Tis the season for Fall curb appeal!

"Fall Fun" idea for Homeowners...

Let visitors know that they're at the right address by adorning your front porch pumpkins with your house numbers! This is also an incredible Fall curb appeal enhancer if your property is still listed.

"Pin it" HERE!