White Oaks Reports

Preparing your home for the spring market

Spring is in the Air! The busy spring real estate market is upon us-if you are thinking of selling this spring, it is time to get going.

Fix it Up

Prospective buyers want to move into a house where all mechanical systems are fully functional. In order to ensure everything is working properly, you should have your mechanical systems inspected by licensed contractors. If there are minor repairs to be made they should be done at this time. You should have your furnace and air conditioner cleaned, fix any plumbing leaks and make sure all electrical outlets are in working order. Fixing minor repairs will show the buyer that the home is well maintained. Covering up minor problems warns potential buyers that you could be also hiding something a lot more serious.

Create Space

Even though your taste may be impeccable, a home can be too full of ‘stuff’, even too well decorated. It is difficult for people to mentally imagine placing their own furniture into a home when it is cluttered, or filled with lots of fine collectibles.

So what can you do as a seller? Remove things. Pack some things up and put them in the attic, basement or into storage – make the house look more spacious. Every area in your home will look better half-full – even your closets. Take out half the clothes in your closet and remove half the small appliances littering your kitchen counters, you’ll be surprised how much better your house will look. Even a fridge full of magnets can be distracting. Also, keep curtains and blinds open to create an open, airy look.

Create a blank canvas

Often, a new coat of paint goes a long way when you are showing your home. Choose a nice neutral colour that not only covers over old marks but also freshens the place up. It is often easier for prospective buyers to visualize their own decorating preferences when they have a “blank canvas” to look at. They are more likely to purchase a home that they truly view as theirs rather than somebody else’s.

Prepare the Yard

Grab people’s attention by enhancing your yard and landscaping. If your house looks inviting and well-maintained from the street, people will imagine that it’s attractive on the inside, too.

• Prune bushes and hedges; trim trees.

• Keep your lawns looking healthy and green by mowing it often, fertilizing it, and keeping it edged and trimmed.

• Clean up and dispose of pet mess.

• Prepare your gardens and plant colourful flowers.

• Repair and paint fences.

• Seal your driveway, if needed

• Stain your deck, if needed

First impressions are so important; showcase your home to the best of your ability. Potential buyers never come back for another look, hoping the house will show better the second time around. If it doesn’t show well, they just don’t come back.

Still not sure where to start? Get a Free Market Evaluation.  Help is just a click away