It’s the time of year Durango starts to slow down for fall. If you spend any time in town, you’ll notice some differences in the last couple weeks: there are fewer cars, colors start to change, school is back in session, and some of our tourists head back home to their own routines. So what does this mean for La Plata County real estate?
Typically, this time of year (mid to late August) is a “shoulder season” for real estate activity. If your home is one that will likely garner interest from an out-of-state-buyer, you may see a bit of a dip in activity. We usually see real estate slow a bit before there’s another surge with fall colors and out of town visitors again. However, if your home is for sale and likely to generate interest from a local buyer, you may not notice any difference, and activity may stay status quo.
If you are noticing a bit of a slow period, this can be a great time to consider some routine maintenance, or perhaps putting a bit of work into a home. These are great tips even if your home is not on the market! Here are some suggestions:
Paint. If you’ve been considering painting the interior of your home, fall is a great time to make that decision. The weather typically hasn’t impacted the area much, and the windows can still be open to allow fresh air through the space. A fresh coat of paint freshens the look of a home, which appeals to potential buyers.
Clean windows. A thorough window cleaning allows natural light to stream through the home, and this isn’t a chore most of us do very often. If you’re looking for a way to capitalize on as much natural light as possible, this is a quick and efficient option.
Routine maintenance on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Ensure batteries are fully functioning, and that each of these works properly. Also be sure they are placed appropriately throughout the home. They’re important for both the safety of the current homeowner, and a future buyer. Take a look at this CDC website for more information: https://www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm
Clean the garage. Many clients will declutter a home to put it on the market. In the process, they may move items to the garage to store, leaving the garage filled with odds and ends. This is a perfect time to “get ahead” and do some prep work for moving. Pack items you don’t normally use, get rid of anything that you won’t move with you. If your home is not on the market, your garage may be the place that you use for storage year-round. A thorough cleaning and organizing will help you feel prepared and ready before winter comes.
These are just a few basic tips to aid in home preparation. As always, we would love to discuss the market further. This weekend, we will be hosting open houses at the One38 Townhomes (160 Sierra Vista Street) on Saturday from 3-5 and at 515 Confluence Sunday from 10-12. Stop by and say hello, we would love to see you and showcase these beautiful properties!
Post courtesy of The Durango Team Blog. Read more or search Durango real estate.
