As much as you’re enjoying your Telluride ski home today, you know there will probably come a time when you’d want to sell it. With this in mind, it’s best to always keep your home in top condition and be on the lookout for opportunities that can potentially increase its worth.
We’ve listed a few things you can do today to help boost your property’s value once you know when to sell your home.
- Keep it neat and orderly
You’ve probably heard that one of the first things home sellers need to do is to declutter. When the time comes, however, you will likely be too busy and have too little time to go through all the belongings you’ve accumulated over the years.
Minimize future stress by keeping your ski home organized at all times. Take a few hours each visit to tidy up and dispose of unnecessary items. Not only will this make preparing for an eventual sale easier, living in an uncluttered home is also much more pleasurable and relaxing.
Make sure you have the right storage or drying area for ski equipment and gears. Add shelves in your junk room or places where you normally store seldom-used stuff so that when the time comes, you can easily clear up the space and make it more functional.
Organize your closets and cabinets as well. Add extra rods, bins, and shelves, and designate where clothes, shoes, underwear, and other items should go. This will give the illusion of more space, which buyers always welcome. Consider installing lights in your closets – this will not only make it easier to find the things you need, it will also make the space more appealing.
- Regularly perform repairs and maintenance
Maintaining a mountain home, especially one you only use on vacations, is very important as the property is subjected to extreme elements and weather conditions. Don’t ignore simple fixes and repairs as they can escalate into costly major problems when not attended to promptly.
It’s a good idea to have a checklist of the things to inspect and do every season. These include:
- Checking and draining your water heater
- Replacing the weather stripping on your doors and windows
- Having your HVAC, fireplace, and chimney inspected by a professional
- Checking toilets, sinks, and baths for leaks
- Checking for signs of mold and pest infestation
- Cleaning the gutters
- Inspecting your home’s insulation
- Insulating pipes
- Inspecting for cracks in the foundation, walls, driveway, and around doors and windows
- Inspecting the roofing for damages or repairs
- Invest in the right home improvements
Choose your renovation projects carefully. First and foremost, consider the changes that can enhance your enjoyment of the home, especially when you plan to use it for several more years.
At the same time, it’s wise to avoid renovations that are too trendy or cater too much to your personal style. What may be “in” today might be outdated in a few years, and what you may like personally may not appeal to future buyers. It’s best to focus on features that highlight what the area has to offer, such as large glass windows, outdoor living spaces for use in the summer, a lounge area where you can relax after a day at the slopes, and so on.
In addition, certain home improvements have been consistently found to yield good investment returns. These include:
- Smart home features, including smart thermostats, lighting, appliances, and home security
- Minor kitchen upgrades, such as updating the hardware, resurfacing the cabinets, and switching to energy-efficient appliances
- Minor bathroom upgrades like updating the fixtures, freshening the grout and caulk, and adding shelves for storage
- Installing heated floors, which are perfect for ski homes, especially in the winter
- Improve and maintain your landscaping
First impressions have a big impact on homebuyers, and the best way to make a great first impression is through eye-catching landscaping. Complement the breathtaking views of Telluride with thoughtfully-designed landscaping that goes well with the area’s conditions.
Landscaping several thousand feet above sea level can be a bit more challenging. Additionally, the condition of the soil may not be conducive to growing common garden plants. However, a few simple tricks can transform your yard into a stunning display:
- Add a deck, patio, or stonework to minimize the areas where you need to plant
- Choose native flora that can thrive even will minimal care and difficult mountain conditions
- Make generous use of natural materials, such as stone and wood to create a rustic feel
- Enhance the mountain home appeal with features like fire pits and brick ovens, and accessories like twig furniture, antiques, iron plant holders, and so on
Always tend to your landscaping to ensure it remains in the best of shape for years to come.
If you’re selling your home in Telluride, we can help you with more ideas on how to improve its value and sell your property at the shortest time possible. Give us a call at +1 970.729.1577 or email us at td@tdsmith.com.