Spring is the busiest time in the real estate industry. Homeowners are planning to put their homes on the market to be moved out in summer, warmer weather is bringing home buyers out once again and all in time for spring cleaning. Which brings me to the first thing on your home seller checklist…
1. Do some spring cleaning – The best way to prepare for the big move is to go through your house and do some spring cleaning. There are two major goals when spring cleaning: 1.) Get rid of junk you don’t need and 2.) Make your house sparkle.
To get rid of what you don’t need clean out your closet and donate the clothes you don’t wear anymore and go through everything in your garage and sort through what you need and what you need to throw out. The more you get rid of now, the less you will have to pack later.
To make your house sparkle, take the time to complete those deep cleaning tasks you’ve been putting off all year. When you put your home up for sale buyers will be poking around in every nook and cranny so make sure everything is dusted, clean and looking great!
2. Start packing – It’s never too early to start packing if there is a move in your future. Obviously you won’t be boxing up your pots and pans quite yet but there’s plenty you can get in order now to make the moving process quicker and easier down the road.
Pack up your winter clothes, Christmas decorations, fine china and other things you won’t need in the next few months. If you’ve already done your spring cleaning then you’ll already know what stuff in the back of your closet you need, what you should give away and what to sell.
Boxing up your things will make your space look bigger when it comes time to show your house and give you an idea of whether or not you’ll need to rent a storage unit while your home is on the market.
3. De personalize your home – Think of your house when it is for sale as a model home. A model home is decorated with all the furniture and small touches that make it look lived in and yet it’s not. Make that your goal for your home when you’re ready to put it on the market.
Clear off your refrigerator, put away most knick knacks and décor that make your place look cluttered or full and recycle that old stack of unread magazines. You want buyers to be able to envision themselves in your home and all of your very personal touches make that difficult.
De-personalizing your home can be very emotional and difficult but just remember, you’re going to be leaving it soon so the sooner you start the process of moving on, the easier it will be when the big day comes.
4. Get repairs done – Before you sell your home it is crucial to complete minor repairs and improvements to make your house look fresher for buyers. That means replacing the ripped screen door, patching up holes in the wall, touching up paint and replacing broken cabinets or door handles. These are not big expensive renovations, just little maintenance repairs that you never quite got around to.
Completing these minor repairs is part of preparing your house to sell and making it desirable for buyers. These small fixes shouldn’t cost you much and yet will get you high returns when it comes time to sell. A little wear and tear in a home that is sold “as is” will prompt home buyers to offer much lower prices than you want.
5. Consider improvements – I know I just said to focus on small fixes and repairs but now it’s time to just consider larger home improvements. When you’re making a move soon, it’s never a good idea to do major construction improvements like building a new room or changing the structural layout of your home.
However, there are some improvements that are a little more intensive than fixes but still will get you the returns you’re looking for.
Improvements to consider include a deck addition, minor kitchen remodel, and repurposing a room. For example, investing in new kitchen countertops can yield anywhere from a 60-120% return on your investment and can be done cost effectively. Laminate today looks just like stone or marble, is scratch resistant and most importantly affordable.
6. Pay attention to curb appeal – Curb appeal is important to any home sale. When you actively entice buyers then you will have more of them and increase the likelihood of getting a top dollar offer on your home. Plus if a buyer won’t get out of their agent’s car because they don’t like the exterior, your house never stands a chance.
Easy ways to boost curb appeal include mowing your lawn, keeping your porch and driveway clear of junk (i.e. bikes, skateboards, shoes, tools, etc.), trimming your bushes, and planting some seasonal and easy to maintain flowers like marigolds. The pop of color will make your home look brighter and more inviting.
7. Interview real estate agents – Choosing the right real estate agent will make a big impact on your home sale. You want to find someone who will get you top dollar, teach you what you need to know and above all someone you can trust that will make the whole experience a positive one.
8. Learn about your local market – If you find a real estate agent first, especially one who knows your area, this step will be easy. What you want to evaluate when looking into your local market is how fast homes are selling and for what price so you know what to expect from your own sale. If you will need a new home as well it can help you decide when you need to start looking and what kind of time table will make sense for you.
Follow these steps and you’ll be ready for your home sale in no time – not to mention ahead of the other sellers on your block!
Contact us at (714) 785-4434 or email us if you’re ready to list your home and get it on the market.
Sellers – What is the most important thing on your spring checklist to get done before you sell your home?