Preparing Your Home for the Spring Market

A couple of weeks of thoughtful preparation before putting your house on the market will make a big difference at the end of your selling journey. Here are some tips that can help increase your home’s value, improve curb appeal, and optimize your potential buyers’ first impressions.

Declutter

Space sells, so decluttering your home is the first step towards preparing for any showing or open house. Kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms are huge selling points for any property. Professional home stagers recommend that you remove about 50% of your items before showing your home. 

Make sure your buyer’s route through the house is open and easy to walk through and that highlights like a fireplace or antique molding aren’t blocked by furniture or wall art.

You’ll have to start packing eventually. Why not start sooner rather than later? Instead of hiding things away in closets or cabinets (where buyers are sure to peek), storage bins or vacuum-sealed bags look tidy and save space. Renting a storage unit is an easy way to keep your belongings safe while removing extra clutter.

Depersonalize

A crucial step in decluttering a home is depersonalizing it. Though this step might be more difficult emotionally, neutralized and staged homes sell 88% faster and for 20% more than unstaged homes. When staging your property you want to help the buyer imagine the home as their own. Turning your property into a clean slate will help their imagination. 

Remove personal touches, inside and out: family photos, diplomas and certificates, hobby supplies and collections, flags, and garden gnomes. Take down wall art and pack up knick-knacks. Keeping the space as open and neutral as possible allows buyers to envision it as their own instead of feeling like they’re intruding into yours.

Deep Clean

Who doesn’t need a little spring cleaning? Put your best foot forward with a good deep clean of your home before your first showing and regular upkeep throughout the showing process. Depending on your schedule, it may be more cost- and time-efficient to hire a professional cleaner (we have a few we can recommend) – the average cleaning service charges about $167. You might also consider cleaning your carpets to bring out their most vivid colors and plush textures. And don’t forget the little things! Scrub scuffs off walls and floors, dust the baseboards, and check corners for cobwebs.

This pre-photoshoot checklist has tips to maximize your home’s time with the photographer and make your house shine! 

Curb Appeal

Don’t overlook the importance of curb appeal. According to a study from Texas Tech University, the appearance of your home’s exterior can increase its value up to 17%. Pressure wash your porch, deck, driveway, and maybe even your roof – roof replacements are expensive and invasive, so a clean roof will help remove concerns from your buyers’ minds. Keep your grass mowed and weeds in check, and consider subtle seasonal touches like wreaths or flower pots. Make sure your porch or front step is swept regularly, and maybe even throw in a welcome mat to make your potential buyers feel at home.

If you're thinking about selling your home, you want to make sure you have the right agent by your side – here’s how to find the one for you.

Double-Check Systems

Keeping your home’s key systems in good shape can make the selling process much smoother for both seller and buyer. Double-check the integrity of your home’s roof, septic system, heating system, chimneys, and windows. Well-maintained systems will put buyers’ minds at ease, so small repairs and replacements can have an incredible return on investment in your final selling price.

If you own a multi-family home or condo in Vermont, you will need a fire safety inspection to complete the sale. Read this post to learn about the fire safety inspection process and things to look out for!

Details Matter

The little things add up. Take a walk through your home and try to see it through a potential buyer’s eyes. Next time you’re in the bathroom, really look around. Does your bath need re-caulking, do your tiles need regrouting? Are there any chipped or cracked tiles? Check behind door knobs for dents or holes in the wall, and patch them up if necessary. When you go to the kitchen to start dinner, check cabinets for squeaky hinges, drawers for loose knobs, and peek under the sink to check for water damage. Any of these minor issues may seem almost unnoticeable to you, but it’s crucial to remember that you have an emotional attachment to your home that potential buyers do not. What may seem like small quirks to you may, to your buyer, cumulatively lessen the value of your home. 

Aside from minor repairs, there are little things you can do to spruce up your space in a pinch before the selling process starts. Many professionals say that a fresh coat of paint is one of the least expensive investments with the most significant returns. It can make a home feel new again. Warm light neutrals can make rooms feel larger and ready for any decor style. What’s more, hanging mirrors and minimal wall art can make rooms feel bigger and brighter. 

Making sure your house smells clean and fresh is another great, subtle way to make a stellar first impression. A study has shown that the smell of fresh, natural citrus in a property can increase its perceived value by over $100,000 in the eyes of potential buyers. Avoid intense, artificial scents: they can quickly become overpowering and often worry buyers that there is an unpleasant smell being hidden. For a natural refresh, open the windows for an hour or two (weather permitting), scatter vases of flowers around the home, or simmer some fresh cut slices of citrus on the stove.

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It can feel like there are many things to accomplish on the path to selling your home, but Vermont Real Estate Company is ready to support you every step of the way.

Find the right agent for you!