Spring Listing Prep for Minneapolis Duplex Owners: 7 Fall Tasks That Can’t Wait

This time of year, many Minneapolis duplex, triplex and fourplex owners start thinking about selling their property in the spring. Minnesota Realtors will tell you the spring real estate market starts the week after the Super Bowl. In 2027, that’s right after Valentine’s Day.

And those who beat the crowd to the market always get more money in less time than those who enter the market when buyers have a lot to choose from.

That means you need to get busy now. Frankly, there are some things that just can’t be done in winter. That means you have 1-2 months left to do the following:

1. Paint the exterior. If you haven’t painted the outside of the property since you bought it in the 90’s (or before), odds are it could stand a new coat now. This is also true if you have peeling or flaking paint. Most painters don’t recommend paint with latex below 50 degrees, or oil-based when temps drop below 40 degrees. When I woke up this morning, it was 42 degrees. Time is running out.
2. Concrete work. If you have a dangerously uneven or broken sidewalk, you should address any trip or fall hazards before you list. Concrete doesn’t set below 40 degrees without cold weather protection. And that only protects you to 32 degrees.
3. Landscaping. Every now and then I run into a property with trees growing near the foundation. These aren’t trees someone deliberately planted as an attempt to landscape. Rather, they are seeds that landed in just the right place; usually somewhere between the weed barrier and the foundation. Somehow, where nothing else would grow, there stands a sapling. Cut it down and dig it out. Then mend the landscaping. Even if you don’t sell, the tree will ultimately damage the foundation. Addressing it now is money and time well spent.
4. Rodent proof the building. I realize there is no guarantee when it comes to fall’s first chill and the arrival of mice in the house. Nonetheless, it may be wise to have a pest control company come by and seal any obvious places where they can get in. Occasional mice aren’t a deal breaker for most buyers, but evidence of long-term residency can lead to price concessions in the spring.
5. Have your furnace serviced. This is generally a good practice in the fall. Even more so, when you’re going to list the property. Make sure it’s in good working order and that the heat exchanger is ok. Cracked heat exchangers cause furnaces to emit carbon monoxide, which, in turn, can kill tenants. Buyers are quick to ask sellers to replace furnaces. Having a record of it being serviced and in good working order goes a long way toward eliminating that objection.
6. Pressure wash and seal tired- looking decks. This is also a good time to shore up any loose railings or replace rotting boards.
7. Clean out the gutters. While this is a standard fall project, the cost of not doing it may be little trees growing out of full gutters next summer. If you hit the market later in the spring or summer, having foliage sprouting from them is a sign to buyers the property hasn’t been well cared for.

If you are thinking of selling in the spring and are uncertain about what to address either inside or out, give me a call. I’d be happy to give you a list to make sure your property sells for the maximum dollar next year.