As the spring quickly approaches us you may feel like the time is right to sell your home. There’s something about the warmer weather and blooming flowers that compel people to sell or buy a home. Traditionally, the spring buying and selling season starts in mid-January, but this year the season never began because last season never ended. This last January and February have seen some of the highest levels of activity in years. If you plan to sell your home, it’s time to get a jump start on the process. Here are a few tips to prepare your home if you want to successfully sell it this spring.
Fix the small stuff. You want to create a home that is perfect for the next residents of your home. Today, a majority of buyers are younger and younger buyers experience the “HGTV effect.” This effect means that buyers want a home that is perfect and TV/magazine ready upon their purchase. Also, your potential buyers may be turned off if they find out there are further issues with your home after their inspection.
Get rid of unnecessary furniture. The less furniture your home has the bigger it will appear. If you have excess or oversized furniture, consider donating it or putting them in storage. You don’t want your home to look crowded or small to your prospective buyers. Be careful that you don’t rid yourself of too much furniture or your home will come off as bare and less homey.
Give your home a deep clean. You’re going to have to clean your home anyway if you plan on moving, why not start now. Giving your home a full, deep clean will really help attract and keep prospective buyers. Start with cleaning all the windows, inside and out, power wash all carpets, and clean out your closets. Also, cleaner closets will give the impression of more storage space, which everyone is looking for in a home.
Get professional photos of your home. Many buyers begin their house hunting mission online. With the right photos, you can attract buyers to come check out your home in person. It can be hard to capture your home the way it really looks in photos. With all the lighting, angles, and editing, it’s best to leave it up to a professional.
Clear out the clutter. There is nothing worse than a cluttered home, even if it’s nicely organized. Today, the trending aesthetic is clean, simple, and minimal. Non-essential kitchen items should be put away and magazines or mail should be out of site. Be careful that you don’t throw everything in the closets because potential buyers will be looking there too.