When spring is in the air it will also typically mean that the real estate market will be in full swing in the coming months. If you have finally decided to sell your house this is the right time to start getting it ready. If you need to be selling your home fast it will mean more then just sticking a yard sign out and waiting for the offers to roll in.
There are a couple of things that you can do to be sure that you are ready for the market’s busy season:
Home Inspection & Repairs
If your home is not brand new, or if you have lived in it for awhile, you might not even know all of the problems that the home faces. Make sure you are not caught off-guard when the buyer asks to lower the offering price due to some issues they found on a home inspection. The smartest thing you can do is get a pre-listing home inspection so you know about all of the areas that need to be address and the amount of time it will take to accomplish the repairs before you can list the home.
If your home is in good condition you will get the highest price possible. Buyers will also be impressed with the house when they see the inspection report and you show them how you have had all of the issues fixed on the report.
Do some pre-packing, decluttering, and cleaning
You know that you are going to be stuffing things in boxes and packages anyway, so go ahead and pack away the knick knacks, winter and holiday items, and other less used things of your home. Not only will it make the actual move a lot easier, but it will also open up space in your own home that you can show off to buyers. Cluttered horizontal surfaces only make rooms appear smaller, and having whole rooms being used as a temporary attic makes your home seem like it has less square footage than advertised.
On the same thread, spring is the time for spring cleaning, and before you list your home, you should do some serious scrubbing. Dirty kitchens and grubby bathrooms give a clear impression to buyers that as a homeowner you have not taken care of the house, and even small stains and dirt on the walls and ceiling make buyers wonder whether there is more serious damage in the house that is not visible. Moreover, smell is also an important factor during any showing. Homes that have a distinct odor are not looked upon favorably, so consider purchasing air fresheners or using cleaners with a fresh scent.
Curb Appeal
Now that the weather is warming up it is time to look outside and see how you can get the outside ready. People very rarely think about washing their windows but if you do this it will make the entire house look newer and more modern. Add some flowers in the front yard to give it some color when people first pull up. Paint your mailbox, house numbers, and front door for a fresh effect. If you have gutters now would be a great time to inspect and repair if necessary. Some people say that curb appeal sells a home, well they are right, and when you first list your home the first picture will show the front of the home and you want this to stand out as much as possible. If you put some thought into making the outside of the home look nicer it will make people want to set up a showing to see what is on the inside of the home.
Preparing your home during spring is a smart way to ensure that your home gets noticed as the real estate market begins picking up after its annual winter slump. These tips will help you get ahead of the competition even before you list your home.