If you're looking to sell your home in the spring, you should be getting that home ready now! You want it picture perfect when the season hits, not start renovations when spring has started. I've compiled a great list of "to dos" to get done before listing your home! With this gloomy weather now, what better time to start working inside!
De-clutter And Donate
The first thing you should do is go through the WHOLE house! I know, it seems like a crazy task. You should go through everything in the house and either trash it, donate it, and keep it packed up. You should also take this time to pack up the things you absolutely won’t use for the next couple of months during the packing and cleaning process.
Make Needed Repairs
I suggest you speak with your real estate agent first. No need to waste money and time for projects that are unneeded. Focus on the must fixes, so they don't pop up on the inspection. You’ll need to make a note of everything you have updated and fixed and anything you are deciding to not fix at all. Have you had any leaks, holes, doors that don’t close, or any cracks in the house? Then hire a handyman to fix any needed repairs. Any structural or mechanical defects up to your knowledge, will absolutely have to be fixed. Any time and money to fix these big issues, will ultimately help your home sell quicker. If you're not willing to fix these issues, be prepared to take that into account in the listing price and how fast it will sell.
Consider Nice Upgrades
The next step after fixing issues in your home. Will be to consider some upgrades that will significantly add to your home's market value. Only make upgrades that will help on your return of selling the home. Kitchens and baths have shown to carry the highest return. Focus on these projects first. It would also be good to focus on small changes that prospective buyers will notice such as; cabinet knobs, light fixtures, show heads, and faucets. Replace any worn down carpet and drapes. Clean and paint the walls neutral colors, buyers get very thrown off when your walls are bright pink.
Deep Clean
This cleaning will go beyond the cleaning you do everyday. You might also consider bringing in a professional cleaner to help with the job. This is the moment the buyer will decide how well the home maintenance was up to date. Are the floors clean? Are the appliances dirty? Pay specific attention to the kitchen and bathrooms.The most ideal would be as spotless and uncluttered as possible. The buyers will look everywhere, so be sure to clean inside the fridge, cabinets, and deep within those closets. Get into cleaning the back splash and the grouts. Anything out should be cleaned and wiped down. It would, also, be good to re-caulk the tubs and sinks, polish the stainless, dust everything including those ceiling fans and light fixtures.
Bad odors are one of the biggest distractions to a home being walked through. Clean the air but don’t leave out candles and very obvious smelly sprays. If you have pets, keep on top of the litter boxes and note any other potential odors. Try not to cook anything smelly the night before a known showing.
For the exterior, wash the windows and pressure wash the sidewalks and house. Make a note of landscaping work that will come down the line and even get a start on cleaning up dead leaves, fallen trees and branches, and those beautiful bushes in the front area of the home.
Add Curb Appeal
First looks of the home are so important, and they start from the outside. You want that initial first impression of driving by the home or pulling in for the showing. Again only focus on things that will add return to the home. Work on landscaping the yard, plant some new flowers and trees. Work on the cleaning the foliage, clean up debris, replant grass, or add a nice bench to the yard.
Consider Staging With An Expert
Staging is shown to help sell your home faster and for more money. You'll want to show the home in its best lighting, best furniture placement, and decor. The living room and master are the most important rooms to stage. This would be a great place to bring in your real estate agent to help along the process. There are different levels to staging, it doesn't have to be expensive. It is not a requirement to stage your home, you've done a great deal of the work with cleaning and upgrades.
The point to staging is so the prospective buyer can envision themselves in the home. Having your furniture and personality inside the home makes it hard to picture living there. It might seem like an unwelcoming feeling to you but the buyers will see the highest potential of the home in the initial walk through! It's about distancing that emotional connection for you. For the buyer, it creates that emotional connection to be able to commit to buying the home.
Get The Inspection Report
The home inspection will be coming down the line. To prevent unwanted negotiations and help along to a faster closing, it might be in your best interest to get an inspection. You will now be more prepared to know what surprises might come down the line. It will also give you the opportunity to correct anything before going on the market and make any buyers aware of the problems they will have to face. It will save time on both sides of the transaction before any contract is on the home.
When The Spring Is Here
Last minute steps include cleaning all the mirrors, windows and dusting everywhere. You'll want to mow the lawn, and clean up the landscape. Anything you do to the home, is to make the prospective buyer picture themselves in your home. Take anything special out of the home. This is a very emotional process but you need to trust your agent and know all they want to do is get that homes sold for you.
