Spring and summer is the busiest time of the year for the real estate market. But just because its fall doesn’t mean your Colorado home won’t sell.

The fall season can actually be a great time to sell your Colorado house. There will be fewer homes in the market this time of the year. Meaning, potential buyers will compete for fewer homes on the market and will want to seal the deal before the holiday season.

Looking to make a quick sale before the winter arrives? Here are 4 ways to prep your house for sale in the fall.

Keep the exterior clean

Whether they’re viewing the property online or driving up to see it, a home sale begins with the buyer’s first view of the house. Potential buyers will make judgments upon seeing your Colorado home, and you want to make sure it’s positive.

Leaves are dropping like crazy this time of the year. Try to rake or mow your lawn from time to time so it looks clean and tidy. Also, make sure that the walkways, yard and gutters are free of leaves and debris.

Add some outdoor lighting

As the hours of daylight begin to grow shorter, it is important that you provide potential buyers a safe path. Place some lights along your walkway so people can clearly see the path to your front door. Turn on the lights before a home showing.

Embrace the fall season

The fall season is a time for colorful decorations and foliage. A few tasteful accents can make your Colorado home feel warm and cozy, but be sure not to overdo it. Plant some annuals in the front yard. Place a fall wreath or cornucopia on the door.  For some buyers, little touches like these really go a long way.

Check the HVAC

You want potential buyers to feel warm and comfortable when they visit. Be sure to have the HVAC system checked before turning on the heat. Also, if you haven’t changed the furnace filter yet, now is the best time to do so.

No one wants to buy a house with a mold problem. The last thing you want to discover after signing on the dotted line is that you’ll need mold remediation or removal. Unfortunately, molds are not always visible and are not easy to detect. Those pesky little spores could be hiding in the house you’re buying. Because of that, it is vitally important to get a mold inspection done.

Here are 4 reasons why a mold inspection is crucial before buying a house. 

Health risks

Even if there are no signs of mold, it is still a good idea to have a mold inspection. Mind you, mold can be toxic and hazardous to your health. While some people may only have symptoms when they are active in large numbers, others may experience allergy symptoms, asthma attacks or other health problems, even with minimal exposure.

If a member of your family is suffering from asthma or allergy, then getting a mold inspection should be on top of your list. This will give you a peace of mind that you’re moving your family into a healthy and safe environment. 

Mold remediation is costly

Mold removal can be very costly. This is because surfaces that have been contaminated with mold needs to be thoroughly cleaned. Aside from that, professionals have to address the moisture issues to prevent the problem from coming back.

If mold does exist, it can strengthen your negotiation potential and give the seller a chance to rectify the situation. You can ask the seller to fix the problem, reduce the asking price, or you can choose to walk away from the deal. 

With mold often comes water damage 

Mold will grow in places with lots of moisture. Therefore, the presence of mold means there is excess moisture in that particular area. 

Mold is often an indicator of a bigger problem. When mold grow and spread in certain parts of the house, that could be an indication of a leak, water damage, or humidity issue that wasn’t properly addressed. 

Some sellers do not disclose mold issues

Since legal requirements for disclosing mold problems are not universally mandatory, we urge you to have the house inspected for mold before buying. Sellers and real estate agents know that the presence of mold can end the transaction, which is why many of them try to hide mold issues in their home.

While real esate agents are still key in the home buying process, recent survey revealed that 92% of home buyers start their search online. Considering our current situation, searching for homes online is not only more convenient; it’s also a lot safer. With so many homes on the market, how do you make sure that your listing stands out? 

Here are 4 ways to supercharge your home’s online listing. Use these tips to get your property noticed and sell it faster.

Upload good quality photos

In the age of the internet, listings with photos perform better than those without. Potential buyers use your listing photos to gauge whether or not they like your Colorado home. These photos will attract potential buyers; thus, making your listing more competitive. The key is to capture good quality photos that showcase your home’s best feature. 

When selling your Colorado home, you want to make sure it looks its best. As such, we highly recommend that you stage the rooms before taking photos. 

Tidy up the room and make sure that everything is in order. Focus on the strengths of the property and skip rooms that detract from the overall impression you are trying to give.

Be descriptive

When selling a Colorado property, you want potential buyers to envision themselves in your home.  

Tell people about all the great features of your home. Tell them about the lovely outdoor space, the newly renovated kitchen or the brick patio for BBQs. Make sure you’re actually providing value in your descriptions.

Sell them the dream neighborhood

Location is one of the most important things buyers consider when buying a house. Future owners can change certain features they don’t want in your home, but they can’t change the location and the neighborhood it is in.

If your home is located in a good neighborhood, make sure that you mention it in your listing. 

Are there restaurants, boutiques, hospitals and schools nearby? Are there outdoor amenities like a community pool, bike paths or hiking trails near your home? Can you walk to public transportation? Let potential buyers know about it. Remember, you’re not just selling a house, you’re also selling a neighborhood.

Include your contact details

You created an online listing to reach potential buyers and to sell your property fast. But your listing will be of no use if buyers can’t get a hold of you.

When creating an online listing, make sure that you include your contact details, your email address, as well as your availability. Make it easy for potential buyers to contact you.

The home inspection is a great opportunity for homebuyers to find out if there is something wrong with the house before committing to buy.  This is your chance to review any issues and learn as much as you can about the property, including the kind of problems it may cause down the road. 

Here are 4 questions that can help you decode the result of the home inspection. With these questions, you can clarify a lot of confusion on the actual condition of the property and  figure out what you can do to navigate the home buying process. 

Are there potential issues with the foundation? 

The foundation is one of the most important things you should look out for. Some of the worse problems you can face are in the foundation – floors that sag, windows that stick, cracks in exterior walls etc. These problems will cost you a lot of money. That said, you want to make sure that the foundation is solid and not cracked in any way. 

Can you point out potential problems to me?

Take part of the home inspection and have him point out things that require repair, maintenance and further inspection. This is important as it will help you identify what he is referring in the inspection report. It can be quite frustrating to go through the report and have no clue whatsoever about the things written there.

What should I repair first? 

No house is perfect. Home inspectors even find problems in newly-built homes. The question is, which one should you tackle first and which one can be fixed later. 

Simple problems like a leaking faucet is not something you should ignore as it could lead to a bigger, more costly problem to address later on. Make sure that you take note of the problems that should be taken care of once you move into the house. 

Who should I call to fix that?

This is an important question to ask since it addresses 2 things. First, your home inspector can give you referrals to roofers, electricians or plumbers, making it easier for you to book an appointment with them. Second, some inspectors will just give you a list of things you need so you can do the repair yourself. If you’re not comfortable handling repairs on your own, you can always hire a handyman to do these small fixes.

Final thoughts

Home inspectors will not tell you whether or not you should buy the house. It’s your future home, so it’s your decision to make. Take a good look at the inspection report to see if the problems they pointed out are deal breakers for you. Make sure you’re comfortable with your end of the bargain before signing any documents. 

Since home inspection isn’t mandatory in some parts of the country, some buyers skip it in an attempt to save money and streamline the buying process. But it makes no sense to put a huge sum of money on what will likely be the biggest purchase of your life without even knowing what you’re getting into. 

Thinking of skipping the home inspection? Think again. 

Radon is a toxic gas that can be found in any house, old or new. It can enter your Colorado home through leaks in your foundation or porous building materials. Unfortunately, radon cannot be seen or smelled. Because of this, most homeowners aren’t even aware of the presence of radon in their home. 

Testing is the only way to know your level of exposure. This is why the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that all homes be tested.

Mold is a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Not only is it unsightly, it can a costly and dangerous problem. The problem is that most homeowners aren’t even aware that mold is already lurking within their home. 

If you suspect that there is mold in your home, it is important to clean it and address the problem as early as possible. If you can find mold before it becomes a major problem, remediation will be much easier to complete. 

Listed below are 3 signs that may indicate that your home may be contaminated with mold. Be on the lookout for signs of a possible mold infestation. 

Visual indicators of mold growth

If you can see mold, then that’s an obvious sign that you have mold growing in your home. However, some people don’t notice small patches of mold and think they’re just dirt. 

Molds tend to grow and spread fast, especially when moisture is present.  The mere fact that you see small spots of mold, it means that your home provides an ideal environment for mold growth. Don’t ignore it. Get rid of it fast to prevent it from spreading. 

Musty smell

Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there. If you notice a musty smell in your home, it means that you already have a mold problem. This is a sign that you should take action.  

Walk through your home and try to find the source of the problem. If an area in your home persistently smells musty, focus on that area and try to find out where the mold is. 

Hire a mold remediation expert immediately to help you get rid of molds, especially if they are in an unreachable area like behind the walls. 

Allergy symptoms

Exposure to mold can cause allergic symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, itchy skin, puffy eyes and even asthma. If your symptoms tend to flare up whenever you’re at home and feel better when you’re away, there’s a good chance that mold may be what’s causing the allergy. 

You have decided to sell your Colorado home. Now that you’ve already packed your things and you’re ready to move to your new home, the last thing you want is for your home to sit on the market forever. 

Keeping a focus on these 4 factors will significantly increase your chances of selling your house quickly. 

Price

You think of your Colorado home as a shining beacon of perfection and you’re thinking of selling it at a higher price. But if you really want to sell your house fast, you might want to look at similar properties in your area and determine how much they were sold for. Setting a realistic price on your home will help you attract more buyers. 

It is important to get the pricing right the first time than to lower the price eventually. Many buyers will simply move on if the house is not priced reasonably. 

Property condition 

Colorado home buyers are looking for homes that are in pristine, move-in condition. They no longer have time to make repairs and fix up the home themselves. 

Obviously, a well-maintained home will sell faster than an old and property that requires a lot of TLC. It is a good idea to hire  a professional inspector.This way, you’ll have an idea about the overall condition of the property and decide what needs fixing before the property is listed for sale. 

Photos

Good listing photos can definitely shorten the amount of time your house sits on the market. Why? It’s because most buyers would go online in an effort to save time. In addition, online listings and apps allow them to compare and contrast houses, and then narrow down their searches to a select few. 

Having good photos entice more potential buyers. Take photos that would highlight your home’s best features. Also, it is best to have too many photos than it is to have too few. 

Real estate agent

Another important factor that affects your Colorado home sale is the amount of knowledge and experiences your real estate agent posses. You will stand a better chance of a quick sale by working with an experienced agent. Choose an agent who is familiar with the area and has an experience selling the type of home you have. 

If you have ever been involved in a real estate transaction, you probably know that one of the most important steps of buying a house is getting a home inspection. A thorough home inspection will verify the condition of the property and provide buyers the peace of mind and confidence that they are making a wise investment.

While all Colorado homes have a certain amount of flaw, it is important for buyers to become aware which of these flaws are normal and which ones may warrant potential problems.

Listed below are some red flags that may warrant concern if noted on a home inspection.

Old wiring

Defective electrical wiring is one of the most common causes of residential fire. With today’s families using more gadgets than ever, be sure that your home inspector thoroughly examines the house’s electrical system. Also, pay attention to aluminum wiring as it poses a dangerous fire hazard.

Mold

A home that is plagued by mold is not only disgusting; it can also be detrimental to your health.

If the Colorado home inspector found extensive mold growth around the house, you need to walk away for a number of reasons. Aside from being a health hazard, removing molds from ducts, walls and crawl spaces will cost thousands of dollars. Plus, molds is a clear indication of an underlying moisture problem, which can do real damage to the structure of the house.

Roofing

A house’s roof will age along with its dwelling. So, pay close attention to the home inspection notes and check to see if there are any signs of rotting, cracking, splitting, blistering, curling and cupping. If so, then you should think twice about buying the house as these are warning signs of future warning intrusion. Mind you, installing a new roof comes with a hefty tag price.

Final thoughts

No matter how much you love the Denver house, you certainly need to walk away from it if it has issues with its foundation. A qualified Colorado home inspector can tell you when a seemingly minor crack actually means major trouble.

Also, keep an eye out for cracked windows, bowing or bulging foundation walls as these are obvious signs of structural weakness.

In nearly all cases, it is the buyer who orders and pays for a home inspection. As a seller, you may be thinking, what’s the point of having a pre-listing inspection if the buyer will want their own inspection anyway? 

Here are 4 benefits of doing a pre-listing inspection. 

Prepare your home for sale

With a pre-listing inspection completed, you’ll know ahead of time what exactly is wrong and what needs to be fixed prior to putting your Colorado home on the market. You’ll have enough time to decide what to fix, who to hire to make repairs, and when it should be completed. 

Pre-listing inspections will not only help you cut cost and save time. It can also help you update your home and market it for the best return on investment. 

Get your ideal asking price 

Typically, a Denver home inspection is done shortly after the seller accepts the buyer’s offer. But if you wait for the buyer to discover some issues in your home, then they will likely negotiate for a lower price or ask you to have it repaired before closing. 

By completing an inspection prior to listing your Colorado property, you can deal with problems ahead of time and use the clean bill of health to justify a slightly higher asking price. 

Faster, smoother selling process

If you are the type of person who hates surprises, then we urge you get a pre-listing inspection. Not only will it eliminate surprises, it will also reduce the negotiation process. 

Since you already took the time to address the issues, there won’t be much left for buyers to negotiate on. Both parties will benefit from a smoother, faster selling process. 

Increase prospective buyers’ confidence 

No one wants to buy a house with a lot of hidden issues. Having a pre-listing inspection is a great way to show potential buyers that your Colorado home is in good condition and that you have nothing to hide. 

Home buyers are naturally skeptic about the condition of the house. Handing them an inspection report that details the condition of your home can help overcome skepticism and eliminate much of the doubt about your home. Buyers will be more comfortable making an offer, knowing that the house is in good condition.