How to Prep Your Home for the Spring Selling Season

Warm weather, sunny skies, and longer days make spring one of the best times of year to sell a home. If you’ve been thinking about putting your house on the market, now is the time to take action, as many buyers are eager to move before summer.

In order to get top dollar for your home, it’s essential to stand out in a competitive market. Putting in a bit of work at the front end can help you impress potential buyers. It can also ensure the selling process goes smoothly. Following are some tips on how to prep your home for the spring selling season.

Enhance Curb Appeal

It’s been said you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and nowhere is this more true than when selling a home! Your home’s exterior is the first thing a potential buyer will see, so put some effort into how your home displays. Imagine yourself in a buyer’s shoes: Is the home cheery and inviting? Is the property maintained? Could I imagine coming home to this house every day? Consider these steps to amp up the curb appeal:

• Freshen up landscaping: Mow the lawn, trim the edges, pull the weeds, plant seasonal flowers, trim the trees, and add fresh mulch. Make sure the gutters are clean.
• Power wash surfaces: Power wash driveways, sidewalks, and siding to remove dirt and grime that’s likely settled in over the winter months.
• Update exterior fixtures: Clean and repaint the front door (or replace it if necessary), upgrade house numbers, and ensure lighting fixtures are clean and functional.
• Make small repairs: Replacing broken or missing tiles, bricks, or shingles can have maximum impact on curb appeal. The same goes for missing window screens or broken fence boards.
• Touch up paint: Removing peeling paint and adding a fresh coat (especially on trim) can make your home look new again.

Declutter & Depersonalize

Spring cleaning isn’t just about brushing away the dirt (although that’s certainly important). It’s about getting rid of things that are no longer needed. Decluttering is a good first step in preparing your home for sale; in fact, it is arguably the most important thing you can do to get your home listing-ready. Decluttering tips include the following:

• Organize closets, cabinets, and storage spaces: Buyers will look inside, so ensure these areas appear spacious and well-organized. The less clutter, the bigger these spaces will appear.
• Minimize furniture: Overcrowded rooms can make spaces look smaller. Remove excess furniture to create an open and inviting atmosphere.
• Remove tchotchkes and knick-knacks: Your holiday souvenirs and family heirlooms may mean a lot to you, but not to potential buyers. Store any excess décor items to open up the space.
• Store family photos: Similarly, anything that personalizes your home, including family photos and children’s artwork, should be removed. Potential buyers need to envision themselves in your home, so creating a neutral space is crucial. 
• Tidy up bathrooms: Get rid of half-empty shampoo bottles, kid’s towels and toys.
• Remove pet items: Hide pet beds, toys, cat trees, and other pet items. Not only does this depersonalize your home, it can help with the odors our furry friends leave behind.

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Deep Clean

A spotless home tells potential buyers that the home has been well-maintained over the years. There are services that will deep clean your home for you, or you can do-it-yourself using the following guide:

• Dust all surfaces.
• Scrub grout and wash floors.
• Polish all fixtures, including appliances and faucets.
• Mop hardwood floors and steam clean carpets.
• Clean the inside of the oven and microwave.
• Clean all windows and mirrors.
• Wipe down baseboards and door and window trim.
• Clean ceiling fans and light fixtures.
• Wipe down all cabinet faces.
• Clean all blinds and wash curtains.
• Clean doorknobs and light switches.
• Clean and scrub all countertops, sinks, toilets, showers and tubs.

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Make Necessary Repairs

Small fixes can make a big difference in a potential buyer’s perception of your home. No one wants to move into a new home with a giant to-do list! Plus, buyers can often wonder, if you let the little things go, what big things can be lurking beneath the surface? Following are some tips.

• Fix leaks and drips. Plumbing issues in sinks, showers and toilets can raise a red flag for potential buyers.
• Touch up paint. Wipe down scuff marks on walls and trim and consider a fresh coat of paint if necessary. Consider repainting in a neutral color if needed.
• Repair appliances and fixtures. Ensure all lights, ceiling fans and appliances are in working order and there are no broken components.
• Repair or replace any broken or missing roof tiles or shingles.
• Service or repair the HVAC system if necessary.
• Make sure all outlets and fixtures are functional and safe.

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 Stage Your Home

It’s been said that you don’t sell a home, you sell a feeling of home. Staging your home can help enhance that feeling for potential buyers. Hiring a professional stager is an option, or you can take a few simple steps to increase appeal.  

• Add fresh spring flowers to create a welcoming environment.
• Use candles or essential oils for a pleasing aroma (but don’t go overboard!)
• Rearrange furniture to improve flow.
• Add throw pillows in neutral colors to couches and beds.
• Hang new hand towels in bathrooms and kitchens.
• Get a new welcome mat and add colorful potted flowers to the porch.
• Make sure all lightbulbs are the same temperature.
• Consider making a cute outdoor seating area to show off the exterior.
• Use floor-to-ceiling curtains to make rooms appear larger.
• Style tabletops and mantles using groups of three.

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Sell Your Home This Spring

Taking the time to prepare your home for the spring market can increase your chances of attracting buyers quickly and securing a great offer. By improving curb appeal, decluttering and cleaning, making small repairs, and staging your home, you’re sure to make a great impression while streamlining the selling process.