Spring is a great market for selling. Here are my recommendations for selling your home quickly and smoothly.
Despite recent adjustments, it’s still a sellers market. There remains to be more buyers than available homes, and homes that are well maintained, priced right, and in good condition will do very well in the spring market.
Spring break is a popular time for families looking to relocate. Families often want to move during the summer, so spring is the perfect time for buyers to close on property. As a seller, you will most likely want to do the same.
This is also the best time of year to show off your house. The grass is green, trees are full, and flowers are blooming. This all makes a great impression to prospective buyers.
Here are some tips for successfully selling this spring!
Get a Pre-Inspection
In this more balanced market, your home needs to be in pristine condition if you want it to sell quickly. A pre-inspection is a smart move if you want the process to go smoothly and quickly. You lessen your chances of setbacks while under contract if you’ve already completed this step. If you need help with this, your realtor is a good resource for finding a good inspector.
Spring Clean
Decluttering your home is extremely important for two main reasons: One, so that potential buyers can see the home better and understand its condition. Two, so that they can see themselves in that home. Buyers don’t want to feel like they are walking into someone else’s home. They want to feel like they are walking into a clean slate. Like a blank canvas ready for them to create their own vision.
I know decluttering can be difficult if you’re doing showings while still living in the house, but the more minimal (and less personal) the house is the better. I don’t advise storing clutter in one room (like the office or guest bedroom). Buyers will want to see how each and every space will function in a potential home. Some clients rent a storage unit to temporarily store clutter until the home is sold which is a great solution.
Be sure to declutter your yard too. Remove old tools and gadgets, out of season decorations, broken trailers, mowers, etc. The yard should look maintained.
Remember this: The cleaner the property, the less buyers will go “looking” for something wrong with it.
Price to Sell
This is by far the hardest thing for sellers. Homes are so personal, and they hold so many memories. How do you put a dollar value on that? You really have to trust your realtor on this one. Your realtor will look objectively at all the variables and make an informed decision. Trust me, they want to sell your house at the highest price possible. But, realtors know that listing a home at the right price from the beginning is super important for getting it sold.
Bring the Outdoors In
It’s a good idea to air out your home. Potential home buyers want to smell a fresh, clean scent when they open your front door. Make sure all the AC filters are changed regularly so the air is clean and easy to breathe.
Consider adding a few essential oil diffusers throughout the home, or burn fresh smelling incense and candles before the open house. You want the house to smell clean and fresh, but be careful not to use harsh-smelling cleaning chemicals. You don’t want anyone to think you’re masking a bad (and problematic) smell.
Put fresh flowers or house plants throughout the home. Flowers and greenery add freshness and make it a welcoming and happy environment. (Blog post on caring for house plants coming soon)
Know What to Highlight in Your Home
Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. If it’s not in the plan or budget to update these spaces, it’s a good idea to make small cosmetic tweaks to freshen them up.
You can add updated hardware to older kitchen cabinets or install new bathroom fixtures if the existing ones look old. Touch up the cabinet paint or treat the wood so it looks clean and mainatined. Buyers often buy homes with the intention of renovating to their taste, but they don’t want anything to seem dirty or broken. It has more to do with homes being well-maintained than outdated.
A coat of fresh paint goes a long way in improving spaces as well, and it’s a good idea to repaint any walls with color. Color is very personal and some buyers have a hard time getting past a paint color. For selling, very light neutral colors are best. Again, think of a blank canvas.
Choose the Right Agent
It’s smart to meet with a few agents before you commit to one. Listing homes is an art form, and you want someone who knows what they’re doing. You’ll also want someone who can accurately price your home, provide home staging tips, and effectively negotiate with buyers when the time comes.
You should also feel comfortable with your agent. This is someone you are going to be working with very closely on something very important to you, so make sure you like and trust this person.
(Original content published by Allen Tate Companies)
Are you looking to list your home this spring? Have you recently sold your home and have more tips to share? Let me know below!
Dara Tannenbaum Realtor®
Email: [email protected] | Instagram: @daratannenbaum | Website: daratannenbaum.allentate.com
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