Whether you’re buying or selling, the spring real estate market can be a hectic and fast-paced season. With interest rates still at historic lows, more buyers entering the market, and a tight strain on home inventory, signs point towards a hot seller’s market throughout 2022. Even with the odds in their favor, there are many things sellers can do to prepare for their home to sell and make the process much easier and their sale more profitable.
1. Talk To Your REALTOR®
The first and most important step in the process is to find the right real estate agent for your specific situation and needs. Talking to your trusted advisor can help ease your concerns, create a strategic listing and marketing plan, and ultimately find your next home. Your real estate agent should have the hyperlocal market knowledge to guide you through the process while giving you the confidence you’ll need to enter the market.
Looking for a real estate agent that will fit your needs? Give us a call. Our Relocation Coordinator, Carrin Smaw, will find the right Helen Adams Realty agent that can best help you and your family. While considering your preferred area of town and your current wants or needs, our Relocation team can help match you with the perfect agent for the job.
2. Spruce Up Your Home’s Exterior
A buyer’s first impression starts with curb appeal. Simple outdoor elements like a well-maintained yard, a fresh coat of paint, and a clean driveway can go a long way when you’re looking to impress buyers. Sometimes the easiest way to spruce up your home’s look is to invest in the exterior. Now might be the time to paint the exterior, pressure wash windows, replace a front door, or hire professional landscapers.
If you need help finding a local vendor for one of these jobs or understanding which will give you the most bang for your buck, reach out to your trusted Helen Adams Realty agent. Our team has relationships with vendors around town for every job and can provide helpful advice on what to tackle first, making the selling process easier for you.
3. Simple Indoor Projects to Tackle
There are several simple indoor projects that will help you once it’s time to put your home on the market. A good place to begin is decluttering your home. Ask your preferred Helen Adams Realty agent for our Sell, Donate, Recycle Guide for homeowners looking to clean up and clear out. To help future buyers focus on your property and not your messy rooms, be conscious about the clutter in popular places like your entryway and bedrooms, on top of kitchen counters, or even inside the pantry and other storage areas.
When previewing homes, buyers are more attracted to rooms that are filled with light. Clean windows and glass doors, open blinds, and drapes that are pulled back allow the home to feel much more open and bright. Let the fresh air and sunlight come in and make your home feel and smell more welcoming. If natural light isn’t an easy option, add additional floor or table lamps to areas that feel darker than others.
4. Think Like a Buyer
While tackling easier projects like spring cleaning and curb appeal, you might also want to consider the more necessary repairs of which your home is in need. If you’ve been thinking about selling your home, now is the time to do some research on what repairs and improvements need to be done and what buyers are interested in most. Think about what attracted you to your home in the first place and its true selling points. If you aren’t sure, contact your preferred Helen Adams Realty agent.
On the flip side, think about the things that would deter you if you were a potential buyer walking into your current home. Put yourself in a buyer’s shoes and consider what repairs or enhancements need to be made to sell. Maybe now is the time for the carpet to be professionally cleaned or replaced, the back deck needs a facelift, or perhaps the hardware in a bathroom should be updated. Thinking about these improvements will help you create a more accurate expectation of the sale. Your real estate agent can provide information on projects with the best return on investment so that you are putting time and energy into tasks that will reap the benefits at the closing table.
The bottom line when thinking about selling your home is to consult your real estate agent and let them take the journey with you, easing the load wherever they can. From home repair vendors to hyperlocal market knowledge, your real estate agent will be able to guide you through all questions and concerns. Once you set clear expectations for what buyers will want, what needs to be done, and a timeline to do so you will be well on your way to a new home! For more information about preparing your home to sell, reference our 40+ Tips for Preparing Your Home For Sale and other seller resources.