Spring is always a great time to place your house on the market. The weather is breaking and more people are out and about looking at homes to purchase. Spring is also a time of new beginnings and even homeowners who may not have been thinking of moving get the urge to see what is out there. So if you are planning on cashing in on this great season for buying and selling homes, there are a few important things you must do to get your home ready to go on the market:
Locate the Right Real Estate Agent Now – Since you won’t be the only homeowner thinking that this is the perfect time to sell, it is best to start searching for an agent now. You may need to meet with a few agents before making a final decision about which one is right for you. Waiting until the last minute is not a wise idea. Finding a real estate agent that understands your individual needs is crucial to the success of the entire process, so the more time you give yourself to find the right one, the better off you will be when your home is finally on the market.
Have the Major Systems in Your Home Inspected – Before you put your home on the real estate market, it is best to have the major systems in your home inspected to be sure that they are all in good working condition. The heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical systems should be checked thoroughly by professionals in the industry so that there are no surprises when potential home buyers start looking at your house. Anything that needs repairing can be taken care of ahead of time, which makes the selling process much less stressful.
The House Should be Clean and Tidy – A neat and uncluttered home will stand out above the rest of the houses on a saturated market. Potential buyers pay attention to the details, and a neat and tidy house enables them to be able to see their own vision for your home. When a home is cluttered with too many personal items and is generally unkempt, buyers can be very distracted by that uncleanliness and find it difficult to see themselves living in the home.
Seek Help When Pricing Your Home – If you are not sure how you should price your home, consult with a professional on the matter. If you have an agent, they will assist you in pricing your home to sell quickly, and it is wise to listen to their advice. As the homeowner, you may be taking things into consideration that will not matter to a buyer; an agent can look at the situation objectively and give the best suggestions on listing prices.
Complete Any Unfinished Home Improvement Projects – If you or a worker has started some home improvement projects, be sure to finish them before allowing buyers to see your home. Unfinished projects are a huge turn-off for potential buyers and tend to make the home appear unattractive. They may also raise concerns for the buyers as to how much money and work will need to be put into the home once purchased.
The spring and summer seasons are ripe times to think about selling your home but with so much competition on the housing market during these seasons, you will want to be sure to do everything it takes to stand heads above the competition.
(Source: Forbes)
(Posted by: Miki Leibowitz of Leibowitz Realty)