What to Do Now to Sell in Spring
If you’re a homeowner who’s been waiting for the right time to sell, your opportunity may be coming up. Spring is typically the hottest real estate season, thanks in part to the warmer weather and longer days making it more enjoyable for buyers to browse. To better ensure a smooth and successful process, check out this guide on how to get yourself and your house ready for what lies ahead.
Find your agent
A real estate agent is one of the biggest assets you can have when selling your home, and considering how busy they may be come spring, you’ll want to find yours before then. First, do your homework—ask friends and family for any recommendations, and research the leading listing agents in your market, carefully reading through their online reviews and testimonials.
Once you’ve created a short list of candidates, schedule consultations with each of them to see what they might be like to work with. Verify that they have the experience you need and a solid marketing plan, and ask for details about their communication style, typical commission, and approach to the home sale process. And make sure to be forthcoming as well! The better your agent understands your wants and needs, the more capable they’ll be of matching you with the right buyer.
Assess your property
While winter weather may prevent you from taking on exterior projects to improve your home, you can still begin planning. Do a thorough walk-through around the perimeter of your property, keeping an eye out for any issues—minor or otherwise—that may be sticking points for potential buyers. You can also consider getting a pre-listing inspection to catch problems that could prove costly during a contract negotiation, giving you a chance to repair or upgrade them beforehand.
Additionally, there’s no time like springtime to maximize your curb appeal, making your home look beautifully fresh and cheerful. Create a list of tasks that may help enhance its facade, such as adding potted flowers to your front porch, edging your lawn to give it sharp, clean lines, and pressure-washing your driveway, sidewalks, and siding. Once the temperatures warm up, you’ll be ready to jump right into sprucing up your property.
Declutter and depersonalize
Similarly, you’ll want to tackle your interiors to make them appealing to potential buyers. The two keys are decluttering and depersonalizing. With the former, the goal is to ensure that your home feels spacious and spotless. Focus on tasks like clearing surfaces, cleaning out drawers, cabinets, and closets, and emptying the garage. If you have oversized furniture, or just a lot of it, consider putting some pieces in storage to make your rooms look larger.
As for depersonalizing, remove items that are specific to you; these could include family photos, fan gear, and religious objects. By making your spaces as neutral as possible, you will turn them into blank canvases, enabling visitors to more easily picture themselves making a home there.
Schedule your rollout
Work with your real estate agent to decide the timing of your listing. Do you want it to hit the market at the very beginning of the spring season or after it’s in full swing? You should also establish a solid selling strategy, including the use of video and how to handle showings. If you have any concerns or specific priorities, they can help make adjustments that suit your needs.
Earning top dollar for your home means staying flexible and putting in the effort to get it in excellent condition. Stay focused on the exciting move that awaits after the sale, trust your real estate agent’s guidance, and enjoy the journey—you’ll be able to hang that Just Sold sign before you know it!