As we enter winter and focus on the coming seasonal celebrations, it’s worth sparring a thought for spring if you’re planning to sell your home in the near future.
Spring is traditionally the busiest time of year in the property market. Buyers will be out in force, eager to find their dream home. To gain a competitive advantage in this bustling market, proactive preparation is key.
While we appreciate it’s only the earliest days of winter, planning your springtime sale will make life so much easier in the long run. And, if you feel confident about the market with mortgage costs starting to drop finally, you may find it more profitable to sell at the end of the winter.
Why? Because you’ll beat the rush of properties for sale that always appears in spring. While the warmer weather can be an advantage, it is a distinct disadvantage to try to sell a home when so many others are on the market.
So, if you start preparing early, you will give yourself options on timing. Below, we’ve written an outline of the essential steps to maximise your property’s appeal either for a winter or spring sale.
Focus on Curb Appeal: First impressions are paramount. A well-maintained exterior will draw in buyers, setting a positive tone. Tidy up the yard, mow the lawn, trim overgrown bushes, add fresh mulch, and plant colourful flowers to create a vibrant and welcoming entrance. Next, focus on exterior touch-ups, such as power-washing sidings and repainting the front door. Make sure you have fixed problems such as cracked steps, loose railings and damaged gutters.
Remove Clutter: Depersonalise your home – that is, remove photography of family and friends, and knick-knacks that you’ve picked up on life’s journey. They may mean something to you but not to anyone else.
Create Space: It’s amazing how much space you can create by removing excess furniture and personal items. By doing this, buyers will be able to envision living in your home rather than feel like a visitor.
Storage Secret: Many folks will try to hide their clutter in storage areas. This is a mistake. Buyers want lots of storage, and if they see cupboards and closets teeming with items, it will leave a bad impression. They’ll believe your home has insufficient storage.
Illuminate and Ventilate: Today’s buyers love natural light and fresh air, so work hard on this aspect of your preparation. Maximise natural light by opening the curtains and blinds. In dark rooms, strategically place lamps to illuminate the darkest corners. Open windows to ventilate the house or apartment.
Is a Pre-Inspection Worth It? Once you’ve undertaken every preparation you can think of, consider asking your agent to conduct a pre-inspection to point out any issues you might have missed. You may also benefit from building inspection. There are more than 1,000 points in an inspection, and even small problems can hurt your negotiation position.