On the market this spring?

10 tips to prepare your home for sale.

By Christine Cowles

If spring and summer are the busiest months for home selling, then the winter months should be filled with home improvement projects. However, we often see that sellers spend months thinking about putting their home on the market and then expect to have it ready to list in a week or two. For a successful sale, we recommend getting a jumpstart now on preparing your home for sale. Here are our top ten tips:

1. Survey your home’s condition.

Start by conducting a thorough walk-through of your house, trying to keep an objective eye. Buyers want move-in-ready, so determine what needs the most attention and find contractors to do the work (or make a realistic plan for how much you can do yourself). Remember, many painters and contractors may be booked several weeks out during spring and summer.

2. Interview real estate agents.

You’ll need a great agent to represent your interests, so get recommendations from friends and neighbors. A good listing agent should have a detailed marketing plan and knowledge of the area. Choose an agent who can present you with a realistic market analysis, not simply the one who says they can sell your home for the highest price.

3. Pack.

All your belongings have to be moved at some point, so why not get started now? We recommend packing up and putting into storage at least 50 percent of the belongings in your home (bonus points if you store these boxes off-site). Buyers should see your home, not your stuff in the home.

4. Think curb appeal.

Start working on exterior repairs and landscaping by cleaning gutters, repairing dry rot, and installing drought-tolerant landscaping. To grab buyers’ attention when they first arrive, put out colorful potted flowers and a new welcome mat.

5. Freshen up the front door.

According to a Zillow survey, homes with a black front door saw a whopping $6,271 more in selling price.* Enough said!

6. Paint it white.

Buyers want light and bright inside. A fresh coat of paint can go a long way in helping them overlook other areas of the house that may need updating. Chantilly Lace, Swiss Coffee, and Simply White by Benjamin Moore are some of our go-to favorites. Rooms with white walls and ceilings look larger because your eye sees one seamless canvas.

7. Refresh kitchen cabinets and bathrooms.

Painting cabinets, re-grouting tile, and installing new faucets and sinks can give these rooms an updated look without breaking the bank. Homes with bathrooms painted light blue sold for $2,786 more, while kitchens with navy lower cabinets and white upper cabinets brought in $1,547 more in sale price.*

8. Let the sunshine in.

To make rooms feel larger and more inviting, swap out heavy, dark, or dated window coverings with white sheer panels that let more light in.

9. Remember, scent matters.

Eliminate any odors of mildew, smoke, or anything funky. Fabric and upholstery hold odors, so consider replacing the carpet or buying that new sofa now you’re wanting for your next home.

10. Create the “wow” factor.

Once you’ve completed these upgrades, hire a certified staging design pro to provide furniture and décor to enhance the best features of your home. Staged homes typically sell more quickly than their non-staged competition, often garnering offers at or above asking price.