If you’re a regular reader, you might have noticed that this missive is a bit late. I (and my trusty team of assistants) have been incredibly busy listing several new homes for sale in just the last few days. Those smart homeowners are getting a jumpstart on the ever-desirable spring selling season. Several months ago, I wrote a series of posts about the pros and cons of listing your home for sale in each season. I saved the “spring” post for last because, the truth is, there’s really no downside to listing your home for sale when the birds are chirping, fresh green grass is growing and wallets are a little fatter with tax refund checks. Now, some of you may still feel like you’re in a deep freeze and yes. February is still very much winter. But, if you’re thinking of listing your home for sale and you want to capitalize on the hot spring market, now is the time to start making preparations!
First things first: you need to hire a good REALTOR® to help you market your home to its maximum potential. If you don’t already have a relationship with a trusted REALTOR®, do your homework and prepare to interview potential REALTOR® to find the one that best fits your needs. Many real estate professionals have developed expertise in certain markets and that expertise can translate to a faster sale and a better price for you! Your home is, likely, your biggest investment. It only makes sense to be a little choosy about whom you hire to help sell it.
Once you’ve secured a REALTOR®, it’s time to get your hands dirty, inside and out. Your REALTOR® will advise you on how to prepare the interior of your home to get it sale ready. This may involve storing extra furniture, household items and clothing in a short-term storage unit. Be prepared to make interior repairs, minor upgrades and renovations, and repaint in neutral colors. Although it may seem counterintuitive to spend money when you’re trying to make money on the sale of your home, certain improvements will actually increase the overall value of your home and more than pay for themselves. Enhancements to kitchens, bathrooms and master bedrooms are typically rooms that yield big returns for your improvement dollars.
We’ve all heard about the importance of curb appeal. We’ve heard about it because it’s true. It can be difficult for potential buyers to overcome a negative first impression, so it really is vital that your home’s exterior, lawn, and landscaping is in tip-top shape before you list it for sale. Again, your REALTOR® can give guidance, but consider consulting a landscaping service at least a month before you plan to list your home and take their advice about pruning, planting and lawn maintenance. A crisp and tidy lawn shows potential buyers that you care about the maintenance and upkeep of your (and hopefully, their future) home.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll go into greater detail about each of the above points, but the biggest “take-away” from this article should be this: Now (yes, now, in February!) is the time to prepare yourself and your home for a quick and profitable spring sale. The calendar and thermometers might scream winter, but a good Realtor® is already thinking spring and thinking green.
