The Tri-Cities is still firmly in a seller’s market. But buyers are gaining position. One example comes from the Atlanta Federal Reserve’s Homeownership Affordability Tracker. It’s showing gains in every county tracked by the Northeast Tennessee Association of Realtors® (NETAR) except Washington and Unicoi counties.  

Another example is price reductions have become a growing marketing force. They have accounted for almost or a little more than half of the sold listings for nine straight months.  

Here’s the big picture. Sales, new listing and pending sales in the affordable market were up during the first quarter of this year. So was the move-up market, but new listings in the affordable price ranges are seeing a bigger increase.  

There’s also a subtle shift away from the “this is how it is, take or leave it” conditions that have been prevalent for several years. And how a property presents from the street is a prime example of one way to put a better edge on a marketing plan. 

Your home’s curb appeal is the first chance to impress potential buyers. Whether buyers are wowed by a beautiful and well-maintained yard or are repelled by dirty exterior walls and an overgrown lawn can significantly affect your home’s sales price.  

When buyers pull up to a house, they want to picture themselves coming home to it. Dead grass and chipped paint are a turnoff. Some buyers can get past it, others can’t. Making sure your home is prepared, inside and out, before you put it on the market could help it sell faster and for top dollar.   

Here are a few tips from NETAR and the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) to make sure your curb appeal is making the best impression on potential buyers:  

• Clean your house. It’s not only the inside of your home that needs to be kept clean of dirt and grime. The outside should be just as spotless. Clean your outer walls with soapy water and wash your windows inside and out. According to the NETAR and NAR, washing your house can add $10,000 to $15,000 to the sale price.  
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• A new coat of paint. After you’ve cleaned your home’s exterior, the next step is to apply a fresh coat of paint. A fresh coat of paint is like a facelift for your home. But don’t make a statement with your home’s color. If your home is a wildly different color from the other homes in your neighborhood, it could negatively affect your home’s appraisal.  
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• A well-manicured yard. Your front yard creates your home’s first impression, so make sure that your lawn is green and trimmed and your shrubs and flower beds are well-tended. It is important to keep your yard neat, raking any fallen leaves and pulling any weeds. If there is a barren tree in your front yard, cut it down and replace it with grass.  

• Spruce up the roof. If your roof is damaged, dirty, or missing shingles, it can have a negative impact on the value of your home. If your neighbors’ roofs are well maintained or have been recently replaced, it will make yours look especially ragged. Sometimes a good cleaning is all you need to make your roof look like new. However, that isn’t a project you will want to take on yourself without the proper equipment; hire a professional with the right tools and training who will be able to clean your roof without damaging it.  

By making a few simple changes to your home’s exterior, you can increase your home’s value and hopefully help it sell more quickly.