Getting Ready To Sell In The Spring Market

​As most people know, Spring can be a great time to list your house.  I have found that often buyers who have looked all winter are often ready to make a move on the right house when it comes on the market.  

I think this Spring will be particularly good due to continued lack of inventory and historically low interest rates.  In other words, the normal lack of inventory due to the slower Winter months only adds the to general inventory problems of today's market and is multiplied by a lot of ready and able buyers with low interest rates!

The following are some simple tips for getting your house market-ready in time for the Spring:

1. Declutter and Clean Your Home

Having a clean and organized house will instantly make the rooms look bigger and show off the best features of your home. Buyers appreciate having lots of storage space and with knick-knacks out of the way, the closets and other storage areas will look more spacious. If you aren't ready to purge everything, you can rent a storage space while your house is on the market. Keep your house as clean as possible so it is always ready to show and make a good first impression on potential buyers.

2. Make Updates and Repairs

Now would be a good time to review the Pre-Home Inspection Checklist to see what updates your house may need. Be sure to fix leaky faucets, running toilets, squeaky doors, etc. Painting neutral colors and replacing hardware, particularly in the kitchen, are relatively quick upgrades that can impress potential buyers. 

3. De-Personalize Your Home

Decluttering your home and painting neutral colors are both important aspects to creating a blank slate so that buyers can easily envision themselves living in your house. Put away most framed photos, toys, personal keepsakes and similar items. 

4. Stage Your Home

There are several advantages to staging your house; buyers view the house as well maintained and the furniture placement will help highlight the strengths of your house while minimizing any flaws there may be. This will also maximize the space and make the house look inviting. Staging a home includes the exterior to improve its curb appeal. Fresh paint, a mowed lawn, and landscaping will all ensure a great first impression before potential buyers even enter your home.   Contact me if you would like to have a professional stager and myself tour your home and provide consultation and possibly pieces to complement your home. 

5. Prepare for Professional Photography

The majority of potential buyers will see photos of your house online before they see it in person. In fact, bad photos could discourage them from seeing your house at all! The first step to taking flattering photos is to maximize both artificial and natural light in your home. Clean windows, replace burned out bulbs and add more lighting fixtures or stand alone lamps to make the house look bright and cheery. Professional photography will put your houses' best foot forward by ensuring the pictures are;  clear, crisp, high resolution and taken from the best angles. Tips on preparing your house for pictures can be found here. 

6. Pricing Your House

Your listing agent is an invaluable asset to you as you prepare to put your house on the market; they provide a wealth of knowledge regarding the local housing market and determining the value of a home. It's important that the asking price be competitive; if it's too high, your listing may get overlooked and after sitting on the market, buyers may wonder why the house hasn't sold.  If you want to discuss your the market value of your house email me here.