If you’re thinking of putting your home on the market, the warmer weather means its a great time to take action.
The property market across America and in our neighborhood has rarely been so good for sellers and this season is a bumper one.
Pent-up demand created by a lack of properties for sale during the pandemic has now resulted in an unprecedented number of buyers now in the market and strong price growth.
Competition for homes is more intense than ever. The positive sentiment is being driven by cheap mortgage rates and increasing economic confidence as we deliver a vaccine coast to coast.
Across the US, prices are up around 10% year-on-year across most categories of property – houses, condos and apartments. Industry researcher CoreLogic says we’ve not seen this acceleration of values for nearly 17 years.
The average American homeowner has seen their property rise $26,300 in value in the past 18 months, says CoreLogic. Translated into a national number, that means the collective value of residential property in America has increased by an incredible $1.5 trillion.
If you want to make the most of this booming market, it pays to be well prepared. Here are seven tips to get ready for a sale that will maximize the value of your home.
- First impressions count – Give your property a quick facelift with a fresh coat of paint. Primary colors and black are fashionable for front doors. Your windows and sills say a lot about the maintenance of your home, so don’t forget them. Tidy the garden, trim any hedge and keep the lawn in good order. Consider planting brightly-colored flowers to embrace the spring vibe and mulch the beds to keep down the weeds.
- Splash out in style – With top-buyer-dollars beckoning it can be worthwhile budgeting to hire a professional to style and stage your home. It’ll make a huge impact and give you the best chance to get a great price quickly.
- Invest in top photography – Quality photography on real estate websites will give you the very best chance to attract motivated buyers and set price expectations early. If you do stage your home, great photos are essential.
- Let there be light – Embrace the warmer, longer days by pulling back your curtains and letting in the natural light. Homes always look bigger when the light is good. Move away any furniture near windows that blocks the light.
- Have a spring clean – Open the windows and let the air through the home. Clean the ceiling fans and watch out for mold that might have accumulated on vents.
- Out with the old –An untidy, cluttered home can feel small and inadequate. Go through your home and see what can be thrown out, given away or stored until you find your next home. You’ll be amazed at how much space you’ll create.
- Bring the outdoors indoors – Get into the new season with some splashes of color. Consider bright cushions and throw rugs in the living areas and bedrooms.
I’d welcome the opportunity to help you decide whether this is your optimal time to sell and discuss price trends and buyer behaviors that will affect your home’s ultimate sale price.