Spring is the optimum time to sell a home. Regardless of whether it's a buyer's market or a seller's market, inventory almost always rises in the spring. Why? Because the largest number of buyers are actively searching for a new home during the months of April, May and June.
Tip: If your home has been languishing on the market since the holidays, take it off the market. Give it a chance to "cool down" for a few weeks before putting it back on the market. Nobody is going to look at your home in the spring if the days on the market show it's been on the market for several months. Buyers gravitate toward fresh, new listings!
Here are 15 things you can do to improve the odds that your home will stand out among the sea of new listings flooding the spring-time real estate market:
1) Clean All Your Windows and Mirrors
Shining things up with a sparkle is free, and it sells houses. Potential buyers may not realize why your home seems so inviting but they will feel more drawn to it if the windows and mirrors are clean and reflect sunlight. Cleaning is the least costly and should be the first step for putting your home on the market.
2) Trim Bushes, Rake Leaves and Clean Spring Debris
Clean out dead leaves and debris in your lawn gives the outside of your home a cared for feeling. Trim any overgrown vegetation so it doesn’t block the windows or path to the entrance. Cutting and removing wayward tree limbs lets the sun inside and showcases the exterior of your home.
3) Edge The Lawn Along Sidewalks and Driveways and Mow Diagonally
Diagonal mowing makes your yard appear larger. Clean edged driveways and sidewalks five the artful appearance and tells buyers you pay attention to even the smallest details. Diagonally mowed lawns make your yard appear larger.
4) Plant Daffodils and Tulips or Buy Potted Plants
Yellow, as well as being a bright sunny spring color, stimulates buying urges. Everyone is anxious to see the frist signs of spring after enduring a long winter. Daffodils and tulips in bright vibrant yellows give the feeling of happiness and contentment. If you prefer, purchase potted plants and place them in groups of three by the front door.
5) Throw The Windows Open, Clean The Drapes and All Window Coverings
Wash, dry and press your window coverings and drapes, or send them to the dry cleaners. Wash your blinds with warm soapy water. An easy way is to toss them into a soapy bathtub for a quick wash. Dust away any accumulated spider webs and dust from the corners and ceilings. A spring time breeze coming through an open window invites the fresh spring season indoors. Add clean, bright linens for an added spring touch.
6) Have Fresh Cut Flowers, Peonies or Lilacs in Vases or Pots Around The House
If your yard isn’t overflowing with flowers, ask your neighbors if you can borrow flowers from their yards. Lilacs provide a beautiful aroma as well as color. The natural scents of flowers is far more appealing than artificial scents and triggers fewer allergie. Peony vases are designed to hold peonies upright, but be sure to wash the flowers first to avoid carrying any ants inside. wash the flowers first to avoid carrying ants inside. It’s the clever home staging expert that brings color and scents indoors, simply copy their methods.
7) Put a High Gloss Shine on Your Floors
If your hardwood is dull, refinish it to a high gloss gleam if necessary. Ceramic tile may need the grout cleaned, or even painted. Kits for this are available at most hardware and home supply stores. Make your ceramic tile and linoleum shine as much as possible. Don’t forget to wash all area rugs and air them if necessary.
8) Use Pillows, Throws and Towels in Light Colors, Like Pinks, Blues, Lavenders and Yellows
It it means replacing towels and linens, throws and sofa pillows, it’s an inexpensive accent you can buy. They will light up any room, so choose soft spring colors. Layer towels in the bathroom racks and roll place rolled wash clothes in a basket on the bathroom counter or in fashionable pyramid.
9) Place a Clean Mat Outside For Cleaning Shoes and Place an Umbrella Stand at The Entrance
Spring weather can often surprise you, o matter where you live. It can be warm in the cool in the morning, warm in the afternoon and raining (or even snowing) later in the day. An umbrella stand gives buyers a place to stash their umbrella and the mat will allow them to wipe their feet before coming into your home. It might be a good idea to lay down plastic runners across the floor to protect the, but remember that might ruin the effect of the glittering polish job you just applied.
10) Put a Few Bright Helium Balloons On Your Open House Sign
You can buy helium balloons for about a dollar each at most party supply and dollar stores. They are so inexpensive there’s no reason to not tie a few to your open house sign. Balloons attract attention and build excitement. This will help get your home noticed by home shoppers.
11) Put Out Some Four Color Flyers and Financing Options
Never skimp on marketing materials. You want your buyers to select your flyers from among the dozens they pick up. Color and quality printing sets them apart from the bland black and white and it sells much better. Showing home buyers how easily they can afford your home with financing options. The first thing buyers consider when buying a home are options for purchasing and monthly mortgage payments. It’s best to not make themd guess.
12) Always Use a Color Photo For Display Advertising
If you’re advertising in the newspaper or using online advertising, use color photographs in your ad. Remember, a picture is work 1,000 words, and online more pictures is better. Look for seasonal pictures of your home so buyers can see what it looks like in different seasons.
13) Send Out Four-Color Postcards With UV Coating
Obtain a free direct-mail list of your surrounding neighborhood. You can usually get these from local title companies. Pring oversized, four color postcards and add UV coating to add more oomph. And, of course, always mail it first class.
14) Chill a Sink Full of Bottled Water in the Sink on Ice For Guests
Having a dozen or two chilled bottles of water in a sink full of ice for buyers. If you have room in your fridge for them, remove the label and print off some color labels of your house and address and attach them to the bottles instead.
15) Have Some Treats Wrapped in Plastic Wrap and Tied With Ribbons
Being thoughtful of your guests will make your home more memorable and help it stand out. Buyers get hungry and thirsty on a day of touring homes. Give them a bit of a snack. It gives them a reason to linger in your kitchen, where families tend to gather, and marvel at it’s elegance, ask you more questions and develop a keener interest in your home
