Ready to put your home up for sale this spring? Even in today’s hot real estate market, freshening up your home before listing can help you attract more buyers, speed up the sale of your house and yes – boost its selling price.
Increasing the perceived value of your home, and creating an emotional connection for buyers, will set your house apart from other listings on the market. According to the 2021 Profile of Home Staging survey by the National Association of Realtors, 82% of buyers’ agents said staging made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home. The same study also found that 23% of buyers’ agents believe staging a home increases the offer price by a minimum of 1-5%. On a $250,000 home, that could mean an additional $2,500 to $12,500 more in your pocket!
Here’s your complete guide to prepare your house for sale this spring.
1. Make Necessary Repairs
Your first step is to make any needed repairs, whether they’re large or small. This may include something as large as repairing a roof leak or as small as re-caulking the bathroom countertops. Look at your home with a critical eye like a serious buyer would, and create a maintenance list to hire a contractor or tackle yourself.
2. Depersonalize
It’s important to put yourself in a buyer’s mindset. Potential buyers want to picture life in your home, and that’s difficult to do if all they see is family photos, personal items and keepsakes. While it might be a bit emotional, walk through each room and remove any items that make your house feel personally yours.
3. Declutter
Go room by room and remove anything you won’t need between now and moving day. Removing oversized furniture, small kitchen appliances, toys, knickknacks and personal items will help make your home look larger and more inviting. Not sure where to put all your extra stuff? Consider getting a temporary storage unit.
4. Repaint Neutrals
A bold accent wall may show off your personality, but it more than likely doesn’t appeal to the widest range of buyers. Stick with sophisticated neutrals such as whites, grays and soft earthy tones. Just a few coats of paint can transform a dated space, giving it a more modern feel. (Plus, it’ll look beautiful in photos to attract buyers!)
5. Emphasize Curb Appeal
What’s on the outside matters just as much as what’s on the inside. In addition to keeping the yard beautifully manicured, create a good first impression by power washing dingy siding, trimming overgrown shrubs, putting a fresh coat of paint on the front door and adding a wreath and vibrant flower planters to the front porch.
6. Rearrange Furniture
Take a look at each room and play around with the arrangement of your furniture to create more conversational spaces. Beds should be anchored on the main wall with sightlines to the door, and sofas and accent chairs should face each other instead of the television. Don’t be afraid to mix things completely up!
7. Organize Closets + Cabinets
Buyers will be curious about storage space and peek behind closed doors. Ensure closets and cabinets are clean and organized by emptying at least half of the space. When a buyer sees everything organized down to the last detail, it shows that you take care of your possessions and likely took good care of the house.
8. Let the Light In
One of the first things many potential buyers comment on is the amount of light in a home. Replace any burned-out lightbulbs, swap out for higher wattage bulbs, clean your windows, open the blinds and add mirrors in key areas to reflect light. Need some extra light? Add lamps in any dark rooms.
9. Make the House Sparkle
A clean home tells potential buyers that you’ve taken great care of the property. From the baseboards, ceiling light fixtures, kitchen appliances and windows to every nook and cranny you can think of, everything should be spotless. Aim to clean to a point where it looks like nobody lives in the home.
10. Do a Sniff Test
Nearly all of your senses are engaged when you walk through a home, including smell. Remove any pet odors and refrain from cooking fragrant dishes while your home is on the market. Small touches like candles, fresh cut flowers or warm cookies are buyer-friendly scents that make all of the difference.
While these practical tips should help you get your home ready for listing day, this isn’t the only way you can maximize your home’s value. It’s critical to partner with a licensed Realtor who is well-versed in both the local market and listing process.
If you’re thinking about making a move, let’s work together to ensure you’re well positioned to win when you sell your home this spring. I’d love to guide you through the process, promote your home to as many potential buyers as possible and negotiate the best offer for you.