Slowly but surely, it seems that spring is finally creeping up on us, and as the weather warms up, so does the housing market. If you’re planning to sell your home this spring, now’s the time to get it in shape for buyers.

Spring is the optimum time to sell a home. Regardless of whether it’s a hot, cold or a neutral market, inventory almost always rises in the spring because the largest number of buyers are actively searching for a new home during April, May, and June.

The key to getting your home sold quickly and for more money, however, doesn’t begin with changing your home. It begins with a change of mind. Stop thinking of yourself as a homeowner and start thinking of yourself as a retailer. You need to disassociate yourself from the home and the memories you’ve built in it and start thinking about what you can do to increase its appeal to prospective buyers.

Even in the best of markets, homes that present well, sell for more than similar homes that have one or more negative attributes.  Check out these tips on getting your home ready for the Spring selling season, and you’ll be much more likely to get the top dollar you’ve been hoping for.

First things first, the value of great curb appeal cannot be overstated.  That all-important first impression can either set the stage for an excited buyer or sour them before they ever get inside.

Here’s what’s most important.

• Manicure your lawn – Most of us keep our yards up on a regular basis, however if you’re looking to sell your home take it up to another level with a good manicure. Keep your lawn freshly mowed, trimmed and edged and give it special attention before weekend showings. If you don’t have the time or the inclination to do it yourself, consider hiring a reliable, professional yard service to keep your lawn show ready.
• Cut Back Trees and Shrubs – Trees and shrubs should accent and enhance your house, not hide it. With a good eye, the right tools and a little time, basic shrub and tree trimming, and pruning can yield impressive “curb appeal” results.
• Planting seasonal flowers that brighten the overall look – Flowering plants are a quick, inexpensive and effective way to make your home look bright, fresh and inviting.
• Paint the House – Painting an entire house can be expensive but may be justified if the current paint is in bad shape or the colors are simply dated. If painting the entire house is out of the question, from a curb appeal standpoint, painting only the trim can give your home a fresh, clean, updated appearance for much less than the cost of painting the entire home. Color choice is key (whether painting the entire house or just the trim); a professional color consultant can help you select the color scheme that will likely appeal to the most buyers.
• Front Door – Don’t forget about the front door. Before prospective buyers see anything inside of the house, they must come through the front door. While replacing a front door can be costly, a good cleaning and even painting is inexpensive even if you hire it done. Avoid odd colors, remember you’re trying to appeal the most buyers possible.

Once the outside has been assessed and taken care of, it’s time to tackle the inside of the home. The first step should be a thorough walk-thru with an objective eye. Does it have “move-in ready appeal” that will “wow” young, eager buyers? Is there chipped paint on moldings and trim? If you have carpet, is it worn out and dirty and could benefit from a deep cleaning or replacement? Look at your property through the lens of your buyer and determine what needs the most attention so that potential buyer can immediately connect and envision themselves living there with minimal work to do when they move in. The trick to home staging is creating a space that will enact an emotional response in the buyers.

Begin Packing and Organizing Your Belongings

There’s no way to know for sure how long it will take for your home to sell – it could take days or months, and while it may seem crazy to start packing up your stuff before a sale occurs, it’s best to be prepared for any outcome.

Remove Excess and Simplify

Prospective buyers are going to want to step into your home and see a place they can visualize living in and making their own. Tackle one room at a time and decide whether to keep or purge items based on when you last touched or used it. Remove personal items, collectibles and excessive furniture that distract from the room’s key features as well as its perceived size and flow. Then organize the remaining items with efficient storage solutions such as baskets and containers for closets, drawers and cabinets.

Repairs and Improvements

The last thing anyone wants to do before they sell their home is to dump a bunch of money into it for an extensive renovation; however, there are minor repairs and improvements that can be made to make a home look fresher for potential buyers. Here are a few worthwhile improvements that can be made without spending a fortune:

• Freshen Up Paint – Applying a coat of paint to walls and trim, or even touching up certain areas, can make a world of difference in the appearance of your home. If painting isn’t an option, you can give the walls and trim a thorough cleaning to improve the overall space.
• Let the Light in – Wash windows inside and out and polish all mirrors. Raise shades and opening curtains to let in natural light. If your decorative valances have seen better days, remove them. Buyers want homes to be light and bright, so replace your light bulbs or even add a lamp or two to lighten it up if there are not many windows. Also, when your home is being shown make sure all the lights are on and the blinds are open.
• Carpet cleaning and floor polishing if you have hardwoods might seem like overkill, but you should not skip it. The cleaner your home looks and feels the more at ease potential buyers will be. I know it can be annoying to have to keep up with all the cleaning, but it is a smart choice while your home is active on the market.
• Focus on Bathrooms and Kitchen – The bathrooms and kitchen tend to be a focal point in the homes, and buyers pay attention to whether they’ve been updated or not. Doing little things like re-grouting the tile on the bathroom floor, or caulking the shower and bathtub, can give a used bathroom a fresher look. Something as simple as a new faucet or light fixture can also give your bathrooms and kitchen an updated look without breaking the bank.

Once you’ve invested in the necessary upgrades to create a more “move-in ready” appeal, buyers still need to emotionally connect by envisioning how their furnishings will look in the space. I know we’ve already mentioned the importance of reducing clutter, but it bears repeating. Let potential home buyers see how much space your home has by removing extra or bulky furniture and removing the clutter. Complete the look with pops of colorful and inviting accents that will make a lasting impression. Furniture and accessory placement can cause the buyers to question whether the home will work for them or not. Home shoppers also like to see rooms furnished with one purpose in mind—no office/bedroom combos, for example.

Staging your home (and living in a staged home) can be stressful. However, if you do it right and if the home is priced right, the offers WILL come, and you will reap the benefits of your hard work and investment. Then you can relax and look forward with excitement to a future full of new adventures and memories to make in your brand-new home!

What has been your experience when getting a home ready to sell?

If you think this would be too overwhelming or you don’t know where to start, give us a call at 281-588-0096 or contact us here to schedule your Home Staging Consultation. We can give you feedback that will put you on the right track for a faster sale and a higher profit!

Until next time!