Spring is an ideal time to sell your home! Oftentimes buyers don’t start their home search in the winter because of the colder weather, so they wait until spring to begin the hunt. Inventory is usually higher, which brings out more buyers and families with school-age children typically begin their searches in spring in hopes of settling in before school starts in August. Pus spring weather allows you to showcase your property in its best light with blooming flowers and spring landscaping. So if you’re thinking of selling your home this spring, here are 5 tips for getting it ready to go on the market:
1) Show-off your lawn. Curb appeal is crucial when selling a home, especially in spring. When potential buyers see that your lawn is well taken care of, it gives the impression that your entire home is cared for. Of course the opposite is true, too, and a bad impression of your front yard could mean that they never even get out of the car. To get your lawn in tip-top shape, be sure to cut back your bushes and get rid of any dead limbs and branches, and edge and mow. If you want to go the extra mile, plant flowers in your beds and put down fresh mulch as well.
2) Make your front porch perfect. Behind the front lawn, your front door and porch area is the second most important area that makes an impression. And if the buyer’s agent needs a minute or two to successfully enter the home, potential buyers will have plenty of time to inspect the entry area. You’ll want to give your door a fresh paint job and caulk around the doorframe. Give the bricks and steps a detailed look to ensure that none are loose and need to be restored or replaced.
3) Power wash everything. We feel like we’re concentrating heavily on the outside of your home, but again, your home need to look pristine on the outside in order to get people to set foot on the inside. So power wash and seal your driveway and sidewalks and then power wash your siding, shutters and windows, too. Any sign of mildew or dirt on the home will give the impression that general maintenance is not a top priority.
4) Fix the little things. Take a close look at everything inside your home with the lights on and the curtains open and then fix everything that you see! Caulk the small cracks, fill in nail holes, scrub the sinks and tubs and paint as necessary. As with all of the other small items that we have mentioned, you want the potential buyers to get the impression that your home has been meticulously maintained!
5) Make the price right. Spring buyers are generally ready to buy, so don’t lose time and momentum by overpricing your home. In today’s sellers’ market, if your home is underpriced or priced right, there’s even a chance that you’ll receive multiple offers and have your choice of the lot. Your experienced real estate agent will be able to accurately price your home for a quick and easy sell that will have you out of your home by the beginning of summer!