The newness of spring not only brings buds to the trees but a change in real estate as sellers gear up to put their homes on the market. With more homes on the market comes more competition. And with more competition, many homeowners are looking for an advantage of how to make their homes more appealing to buyers.
A clean and uncluttered home sells faster and often for more money, according to Trulia.com.
Here are a few tips to help your home ready for the peak home-buying season.
Make a Plan
You would be hard-pressed to find a home that is so well kept that it is ready to go when the homeowner decides to sell. Making a plan for the many tasks needed to get the house in top shape can help you stick to a timeline and push through to completion and get in during the peak selling season. Set goals for sorting, organizing and dispersal, small repairs, depersonalizing the home, and don’t forget to do a thorough cleaning.
Organize and Declutter
It took you a long time to accumulate everything you own, so you’re going to need some time to organize what you want to keep and make a plan for those things you no longer want or need. We suggest to work through your closets and storage areas first, so potential homeowners can see the true space in your house. Sort through unwanted items and place them in the garage or other out of the way area for dispersal. Consider hiring a move manager or professional organizer who can help you make decisions about what you could sell, or where you can donate those things you no longer want.
Make Small Repairs Now
We all have those nagging little things in our homes that we live with every day, and say we will fix “later”. Now is the time to address those issues if you want your home to look fresh and appear in good repair. Cabinet door hanging slightly off? Tighten up the hinges. Does the dog or cat scratch at the base of the doorframe? Replace or apply a fresh coat of paint. Your listing agent can also tell you what repairs are necessary, but take some time to look at your home on your own, to save some time before going to market.
Depersonalize Your Home
Your collections may make your heart sing, but to a potential home buyer, they could be a distraction when walking around your house. Home buyers want to imagine how their belongings would look in your home, and the best way to do that is to leave yourself out of it. Organize your collections and family photographs and store them until you’re settled in your new home.
Get Help
A Move Manager can help you ready your home for sale, by making an overall plan and timeline for the move. By helping you make the hard decisions about what to take and what to let go, and organizing or packing away the rest, your freshly organized home will soon be ready for the market.