Are you getting ready to put your home on the market this spring and want it to sell for top dollar? In this episode of Monmouth Redefined, I’m going to give you four simple tips you must do to minimize market time, receive offers quickly, and get the most money on your sale. I’ll also explain why starting the process now will give you an edge over the competition and attract the most buyers.
Selling In Spring
I know what you must be thinking: Melissa, it’s winter out, and it’s freezing! I have plenty of time to think about selling my home and getting prepared. After all, spring is months away.
In reality, the spring market in real estate starts a lot earlier than you may think. I always say that once the Super Bowl is over, get ready because the spring market is on its way. Many buyers actually start looking aggressively in February and March for their new home. Since preparing your home may take you longer than you think, it’s best to start early.
Declutter
The first thing you want to do is declutter. Most of us have way too much stuff; I know I sure do. This past week, my husband and I actually ordered a dumpster because I was going through my house trying to organize things. I realized how much crap we have accumulated since moving to our house 10 years ago. My twins are now 12, so why am I keeping car seats and cribs?
Many of us tend to keep things that we’ll probably never use. So get rid of unnecessary items such as bulky furniture, knickknacks, and clutter lying around. You want to create a space and flow throughout your home, as people tend to be very visual. Your home may have great space, but buyers may not be able to visualize their own things in it if it’s too cluttered.
This also goes for cabinets and closets. You don’t want buyers opening doors to have things falling on top of them. The first thing that will come to their mind is that this home doesn’t offer enough storage space.
Depersonalize
Tip number two is to depersonalize. When a buyer walks into your home, you want them to envision themselves and their family living there. So photos of you, family, and friends should be removed, along with any personal or religious pieces.
You want to keep things neutral. The key here to remember is that when selling your home, less is more.
Make Repairs
Tip number three is to make repairs. If you’re like me, you may have an ever-evolving list of projects and repairs that you just never seem to get a chance to complete. Well, guess what? Now’s the time.
Patch that wall you never got around to. Caulk the sink that needs caulking. And if your home has loud, bright pink colors, I highly recommend painting. A can of paint is money in a can when it comes to selling your home. Last but not least, there are times when you should hire an inspector to do a pre-inspection on your home.
You want to make sure the furnace, AC, and all the big-ticket items are functioning properly. Check for any signs of mold in your attic or basement, and make sure there are no leaks in your roof. If you address these items upfront before a buyer does their home inspection, it can end up saving you thousands of dollars down the road.
Clean, Clean, Clean
Tip number four is clean, clean, clean. I know this sounds obvious, but you would be surprised how many sellers miss this simple step. I suggest you have a deep cleaning. You want to ensure that you clean those spaces that you normally don’t clean on a weekly basis.
A big one that many people miss is their air vents. Don’t leave them dirty and dusty. Buyers pay attention to everything when they have an interest in your home. Also,don’t forget about the exterior of your home. You may need to have it power washed and your windows cleaned. All of these things go a long way when selling your home.
Preparing Your Home
I hope these four tips gave you some good ideas of how to start preparing your home for sale. It’s also a great idea to meet with your real estate consultant ahead of time so that you know what to expect and are prepared. I meet with all of my sellers prior so that they know what to do before going on the market.
I know the prep work can be time-consuming, but trust me on this: it’s well worth it. If you have any further questions about selling your home, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me and I’ll be happy to connect with you. And if you liked this video, please make sure you subscribe to my channel so you’re notified when my next episode of Monmouth Redefined comes out. Thanks for watching!
