Paul Jamison of the Jamison Family of Companies speaks with Sandy Dickinson of Cross Country Mortgage and Marty Ivey of Ivey Exterminating about different ways that critters can get into your house, crawl space issues, and decorating a home for sale during the Holidays.
Different Ways That Critters Can Get Into Your House
You may envision a Holiday season sitting in a cozy home with your loved ones next to a roaring fire under the twinkling lights of a beautiful Christmas tree. You probably don’t envision mice, roaches, or snakes ruining that beautiful picture! Here are some different ways that critters may find their way into your home this time of year:
Christmas trees. Sometimes bugs, mice, snakes and even possums can find their way into your home when you bring a real Christmas tree inside. If you do buy a live Christmas tree, be sure to hose it off and dry it thoroughly using a leaf blower to ensure that you don’t bring any critters inside the house along with the tree.
Fireplaces and chimneys. This time of year, wasps, roaches and other bugs can find their way into your home via your fireplace. Check your damper, and seal and secure your chimney as much as possible.
Firewood. If you have a wood burning fireplace, roaches, rats, bugs, snakes, and other critters may find their way into your home when you bring stored wood inside the home. If you like building fires, be sure to cover your stored wood and elevate it off the ground to keep pests to a minimum.
Leaves. Snakes and bugs can make their home in a nice warm pile of leaves. Do not blow leaves against the house, as any pests in those leaves may find their way into your crawl space and air vents, and then easily into your home.
Crawl Space Issues
A very large percentage of failed real estate transactions are now attributed to crawl space issues. Humidity from rain and warm weather can wreak havoc on your crawl space. This humidity may lead to standing water, drenched concrete, wet floor joists, etc. In less than 48 hours, humidity may also lead to microbial growth. If you have a crawl space, you may want to have a professional check out the area. They will most likely recommend a vapor barrier, a dehumidifier, and for you to close your vents so that raccoons and other wildlife don’t gain access into your crawl space to make it their home.
Decorating a Home for Sale During the Holiday Season
There are several things that you can do (and that you should avoid doing!) when you have a home up for sale during the Holiday season. Here is a list to get you started:
Avoid the kitch. No inflatables (no Grinch, Santa Claus, political figures, etc.). Avoid any decorations that may be controversial.
Aim for elegance. Instead of inflatables, put a simple wreath on the front door to be welcoming, but not potentially offensive to anyone.
Lights. Avoid colored flashing lights that may distract from potential buyers being able to really see the home if they’re previewing it after dark. Simple white lights may be a more beautiful option.
Skip the Christmas tree. If the tree is too large, it may make the room seem too small. If the tree is too small, it may look kind of sad. Either way, that’s not the impression you want to give potential buyers.
Holiday cards. Take Holiday greeting cards off of the fireplace mantle or the shelf, as they may look messy. Put them away in a drawer during showings.
Protect your presents. Don’t leave valuable presents under your Christmas tree during showings. Put them in a locked cabinet or the trunk of your car during showings. You don’t want potential buyers to be tempted (or to even actually steal!) your valuable Christmas presents.
Choose sense over senses. Don’t overdo the Holiday senses with freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon, and peppermint scents everywhere in the home. Choose one.
Light a fire. Always be safe, but lighting a cozy fire can create a warm, fuzzy feeling that no potential buyer will be able to resist.
Keep it simple. Peppermint soap or candles, tasteful Holiday-themed and seasonal colored towels can add a very nice touch to any bathroom.
Enjoy the Holiday season and have a safe, fun and Happy New Year!
We’re to Help! To discuss property management, property investment, property maintenance, selling, buying, the local real estate market, and all things real estate related, contact the expert team of trusted advisors at Jamison Realty at (704) 846-3663. To learn more about property investment in particular, purchase Paul’s book, Opportunity is Knocking, which is chock full of information and tips to get every new investor well on their way to success.
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