It may not feel like it, but spring is right around the corner. If you’re considering putting your home on the market this year, now is the time to get ready to sell.
As the days get longer and temps start to warm up, the real estate market picks up as well. Homebuyers are eager to find a home in the spring so they can get through closing and move into their new home before fall. With mortgage rates still at record lows, buyers will be even more motivated to buy this year. Coupled with low housing inventory, that means this spring is expected to be another great season for sellers.
Getting your home market-ready can take time, especially if you’ve lived there for a while. Start preparing now so that once those warm spring temperatures hit, you’ll be ready to list. To get you on the right track, here are our top 9 ways to prep your home for sale this spring.
Declutter
Nothing is more unappealing to a buyer than a cluttered home. Start sifting through your belongings to sell, donate, or toss the things you don’t want to keep. You’ll need to do this before you move anyway, so why not get a head start?
When it comes to staging your home for sale, less is more. The fewer belongings you have in your home, the more spacious, clean, and open it will appear. As you declutter, give special attention to the following:
- Entryway. As the first thing buyers see when they walk in the house, your entryway, foyer, or mudroom should be clean, clutter-free, and inviting. Remove as many extra coats, hats, mittens, and shoes as you can, and keep the rest organized and contained.
- Closets. Buyers love to see plenty of storage space! Your closets shouldn’t be so packed with stuff that they’re bursting at the seams. A well-organized closet that has some wiggle room in it will look more spacious and be more attractive to buyers.
- Kitchen. Clear off countertops except for essential items you use every day, such as the coffee maker and toaster. Remove photos, coupons, or other items from the fridge, and ditch the magnets. Clean out and organize cupboards as well.
- Bathroom. Clear off countertops, and make sure cleaning supplies, extra toilet paper, and other items are stored away.
- Electronics. Organize cords so they aren’t a tangled mess, and tuck them away from view.
- Furniture. Less furniture makes a room appear larger. Pare down the furniture in all of your rooms to only the essentials. Consider renting a storage space for the extra pieces that you want to hang onto for your new home.
Depersonalize
While you’re decluttering, it’s important to also depersonalize your home. Buyers will be much more excited about your home if they can picture themselves living there. Remove any obstacles to that by packing up family photos, sports memorabilia or trophies, figurines, artwork, or other collections. Pare down collections of books, movies, games, or other entertainment items as well, and pack up as much as you can.
Start Spring Cleaning
Once you’ve gotten rid of the clutter and personal items, it’s time to do a thorough deep clean of your home. Go through one room at a time, cleaning from top to bottom. Wipe down walls, doors, and molding, and clean the windows. Move furniture and vacuum or sweep, getting into all of the nooks and crannies you otherwise miss. Scrub the kitchen and bathroom floors well, and get rid of any mold and mildew.
Get Caught Up on Maintenance
The more well-maintained your home is, the more you can justify a higher asking price. Plus, a buyer will likely hire a home inspector who will catch needed repairs, and you’ll have to take care of them anyway. You might as well fix them preemptively. Walk through your home looking for the little things you no longer notice, such as loose doorknobs or railings, missing trim, or chipped paint. In addition, make sure the following are all in good shape:
- Plumbing
- HVAC
- Electrical
- Basement & Foundation
- Roof & Chimney
- Sump Pump (where required)
- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
If you find that more extensive repairs are needed, contact the appropriate professionals to take care of those items as soon as possible.
Consider a Few Updates
The majority of today’s homebuyers are looking for updated, move-in ready homes. To get top dollar for your home, consider taking on a few updates before you sell. Two of the rooms that buyers look at the most when making their decision to buy are the kitchen and the bathroom. If yours are looking outdated, you’ll want to make some upgrades before you list. If a full remodel of these rooms doesn’t fit your budget, consider smaller changes: Updated fixtures, new cabinet pulls and a fresh coat of paint on walls and/or cabinets will work wonders.
Looking for more update ideas? See our recent blog post for more home upgrades to consider before you sell this spring.
Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
Painting is a relatively inexpensive and easy way to give your home a fresh look. When you’re getting ready to sell, always pick neutral paint colors—white, beige, gray, etc. Just like decluttering and depersonalizing your home, choosing neutral wall colors offers buyers a blank canvas, allowing them to picture themselves living there. While you may love your bright red kitchen, a prospective buyer may not. Plus, light neutral tones will make your home look more spacious than darker or more vivid colors.
Brighten Things Up
Another way to ensure your home looks its best is to make sure each room has plenty of light. Natural light is best—get rid of old heavy window coverings and open up the blinds to bring in as much natural light as you can. Repair any light fixtures that aren’t working properly, and replace any light bulbs that have burnt out. Add floor or table lamps to dark corners for an extra boost of light.
Boost Your Curb Appeal
Don’t forget to tend to the exterior of your home as you’re getting ready to sell. Curb appeal is important: many buyers won’t even bother to tour your home if they don’t like how it looks on the outside. If the siding or porch needs paint or the roof needs repair or replacement, make a plan now to complete those updates before you sell.
Once the weather permits, prune bushes and shrubs, weed gardens, and put down fresh mulch in garden beds. Planting flowers really helps to make your home’s exterior pop as well: a few pots or hanging baskets on the porch will add a welcoming touch.
Hire a Great Real Estate Agent
If you’re considering selling this spring, it’s not too early to contact a real estate agent. Your agent can walk through the home with you to help you determine which updates you should take on to prep your home for sale this spring. They will also offer their expertise on staging and marketing your home to sell for top dollar.
Ready to talk about putting your home on the market? Contact the ResCom Pro team today at 651-578-2255. We look forward to working with you to sell your home!