If you’re selling in the spring market this year, you likely have a busy few months ahead of you. Given that spring is often a chaotic time in the real estate market, you can expect to have a lot of contact with buyers and agents. As you’re making your own preparations, there are a few key items that you should make a priority in order to have the best experience in the current market. Here’s your unofficial checklist for selling in the spring market!
Finish necessary updates
If you’ve been planning to sell for a while, you may have renovated your home recently. If so, you’re likely in great shape! However, if it’s been a few years since you’ve updated your home’s interior, or if you never have, it’s probably time to freshen things up before buyers come in. We generally recommend focusing on the kitchen and main bathrooms as these get the most traffic and people pay attention to their conditions. In the bathrooms, consider upgrading to dual sinks and vanities, and replacing the shower if the tub bottom is a bit faded or yellowed. Fresh white products, with a pop of colour in a shower curtain go a long way. In the kitchen, you may want to replace old appliances and countertops, or reface kitchen cabinets. Finally, you should repaint the walls with a fresh, neutral colour. You don’t have to spend all your money tearing apart your entire home, but touching up key areas can have a big impact.
Pay attention to curb appeal
The first part of the home people see is the outside, so it’s important to make your house look attractive from the curb. The good news is that when you’re selling in the spring, homes tend to look a bit nicer than they might in winter, covered in snow and slush. As the weather gets warmer and sunnier, this also provides you with more opportunities to freshen up your home’s exterior. You can power wash your home’s siding to blast off the remnants of winter, and wash your windows for a sparkling finish. You should also focus on your roof. If it needs any work done after the winter season, it’s best to get that arranged now. Finally, make sure your lawn and gardens are ready to be the centre of attention. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, simple lawn care and healthy grass will go a long way. You can also plant some basic shrubs or flowers to add some colour and variety to your property.
Prepare for showings
Showing your home can be nerve-wracking. We often get a bit stressed when friends and family come to visit, not to mention strangers who are coming to your home to see if it’s purchase-worthy. Still, a few simple tricks will do wonders here. One of the most important things you can do is declutter your home. Store away knick knacks, clean out closets and cupboards, and let the home speak for itself without piles of storage. You should also do your best to depersonalize, which means removing family portraits or kids’ artwork. Let someone imagine themselves making their own memories here! Finally, give your home a good scrub down. Buyers will be examining every inch of your home, and the neater and cleaner it is, the better.
Find an agent
Don’t forget about your own part in the selling process! While this is a seller’s market, you still need to put in a good amount of work to ensure you find the right buyers and the right price for your home. Securing a real estate agent is a key part of this process. Agents know the market and can advise you on asking prices, and they can help you handle offers and negotiations with buyers. They can also assist you with paperwork and they will be in contact with the buyer’s agent as well. They certainly take a lot off your plate! Ideally, you should find an agent who is familiar with your area and experienced with your property type. I work with lots of great agents as a broker, so feel free to contact me if you need any recommendations!
Think about your next steps
Remember, if you’re selling your home, you obviously need somewhere else to go! You may be renting, but if you plan on buying a new home you will need to consider your next steps. With the sale of your home, you can leverage that to help finance a new purchase. However, you will already know the market is competitive. Be sure to plan out your budget and property needs, and the location and size of your next home. You can chat with a broker to figure out how you can use your sale to support your home purchase, and what work you might be looking at with a lender. Moving house can be a bit complicated, so don’t hesitate to use professionals to give you a leg up.
Selling in the spring is likely to be a positive experience for you. Your home will receive more attention as buyers emerge from the winter, making it easier to sell. Completing any updates and focusing on curb appeal will also increase your home’s value so you can make the most out of your property. If you have any questions about buying a new property, that’s where a broker like myself comes in handy! I can walk you through your options and the best path for you in this market.
If you need help or have questions about your mortgage, get in touch with me!