While it may feel like Old Man Winter is never going to leave, spring is just a few weeks away. The spring season is one of the best times of the year to sell your home. By getting yourself prepared during this time, you’ll be ready to list your home at the beginning of spring. Here’s what you need to do over the next few weeks to get ready.
Declutter
Is there a better time to declutter your home than in the dead of winter? When the weather prohibits you from going outside, spend your time inside getting control of your clutter. One of the most important things you can do when selling your home is to declutter and depersonalize your space. By starting now you’re giving yourself plenty of time to accomplish this task. Do you need some inspiration to get started? Then check out Marie Kondo’s book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up or watch her show “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” on Netflix.
Clean
Once you’ve cleared out all the stuff you no longer need, it’s time to give your home a deep clean. Your home needs to be sparkling before any potential buyers drop in. This is one step that cannot be overlooked. Everything needs to be done, including shampooing the carpets, polishing the hardwood and tile floors, scrubbing the bathrooms and kitchen, cleaning the windows, and making sure you get into all the nooks and crannies. If the idea of deep cleaning your home is overwhelming, then hire a cleaning company to get the job done.
Make repairs
When you’re cleaning, take note of anything that needs repairs. This could include a leaky faucet, a tricky doorknob, or a hole in the drywall. Make sure all lights are working. Remember – potential buyers are going to be looking at everything in your home. And if they don’t notice something, you can be sure the home inspector will. Tackling these small repairs now will save you many headaches down the line.
Paint
We know how much you love that bright blue paint in your master bathroom. But you never know if it will suite the tastes of all the potential buyers who walk through your home. Now is a good time to repaint your rooms with neutral colors, like white, beige, or gray. Neutral colors allow buyers to more easily imagine themselves in the home. And a fresh coat of paint does wonders to make any room feel fresh and clean.
Interview agents
Finally, take time to research professional real estate agents in your area. Talk to friends and family to get recommendations. Once you’ve got some names, research them online. See what kinds of reviews they’ve gotten from other sellers, and whether or not they’ve had any disciplinary action taken against them. When you have a few agents that meet your criteria, schedule interviews with them. Ask them about their home-selling strategies, their fees, and if they can provide you with references. You’ll get a good sense of which agent best suites your needs, and if their personality is a match with yours.
