By Beth Moran–
What is the one telltale sign that a neighbor is going to sell their home? The front landscape gets spruced up and the house is painted…right?
The attention to detail or “curb appeal” is what drives buyers to want to take a look inside with the hope that the rest of the house looks as good. If you’re thinking of selling then making those changes early can save time and increase your return on investment.
However, today’s buyers are more environmentally conscious, and as our market shifts back to “normal” it pays to have value-added amenities that give benefits to buyers. In California, water conservation mandates to limit usage are becoming the norm and according to a National Association of Realtors survey, 17% of agents said updating landscape was a factor in the sale of their home.
Citrus Heights residents can take advantage of some great programs to offset costs that I’d like to share.
For those served by California American Water, the water supplier has restarted their conservation program. I’ve previously taken advantage of their turf rebate program to xeriscape my front lawn. The benefits are numerous but most of all I’m reminded of the reduction in water usage every month when the bill shows up.
Once accepted, the program will reimburse $2 for every square foot of lawn that you remove. There are certain requirements, such as using plant drought tolerant plants and removing a minimum of 300 square feet, but if you’re considering selling, this is a tangible asset to show potential buyers — not to mention updating a tired-looking exterior.
Be sure to get approved before starting any renovations, because they require photos both before and after.
Price Drop: Citrus Heights housing market slows down
Another program for trees offered by SMUD in partnership with the Sacramento Tree Foundation provides customers with free trees to assist in creating a shade canopy. They offer consultations to determine best location and if you don’t like the trees offered you can wait for the next season to see if they have trees to your liking.
Of course, they only offer drought-tolerant varieties, but I’ve received beautiful crepe myrtles to shade the west side of my home. Their website also has classes for landscape ideas and tips for homeowners to conserve energy.
Amazingly, PG&E is getting on board with water conservation as well, and has nine sessions running from July 20 through August this year, addressing various water related needs. Although they are not as usage specific as Cal American Water, they are making a concerted effort to educate people on a broader scale.
On a side note, they also offer a lending program to test an induction cooktop. You can look here for pickup dates available at the Fair Oaks Library. I believe their rebate program for those types of stoves/cooktops and water heaters is still available, and if you’re remodeling it’s definitely an upgrade from the norm.
When considering the various options to improve landscaping, don’t overlook fencing. Yes, it is more expensive but the good news is that lumber prices have come down since mid-2020 so it’s more affordable to repair or replace deteriorating fencing.
New fencing is a huge value-added feature when it comes to backyards particularly in our area where homes are typically 30-50 years old. Young families with children are more willing to overlook small bedrooms if the yard offers security and privacy.
Please get three bids from contractors and look up their license with the state contractor’s licensing board. When interviewing contractors always ask how they are securing the fence boards and if they use staple guns do insist, they use nails or screws to last longer.
Enticing buyers to walk through the front door is within every seller’s control provided they do the work to create a welcoming atmosphere. Even though interest rates are up, historically they are still considered pretty good, but buyers have grown weary of the competition. My advice, don’t pass up your chance to make a good first impression and add some curb appeal to increase your odds of selling quickly.
Beth Moran is a local broker serving the Citrus Heights and surrounding community since 1999. Please send questions to Beth@SacAgent.com
