Putting Your House on the Market This Spring?

Putting Your House on the Market This Spring?

With spring’s warmer temperatures come For Sale signs placed in front of houses. The real estate market is going to be heating up soon, if it hasn’t already, and if you have been thinking about selling your house, now might be a great time. Before you start packing and searching for your next home, though, there are some steps you need to take in order to boost your chances of making a quick sale on your current home. Here are some things to keep in mind as you get your house ready to put it on the market:
  • Have a real estate agent come over to evaluate your property. He or she will have suggestions about what you can do to update your home before putting it on the market. Also, you’ll get a good idea of what comparable properties are selling for in your area. This will help you to avoid surprises later if it turns out your home is worth less than you thought it would be.
  • Make a list of all of the features in your home that would be attractive to buyers. These include extra storage space, such as custom closets or a large pantry in the kitchen, new appliances, a new roof or furnace, upgraded flooring or a bonus room. You will want these features included on your listing.
  • Make some improvements. If your list of improvements and features was short, or if you’re hoping to command a higher price than your real estate agent suggested, you may want to invest some time and money into making your house more friendly to buyers. Cleaning and fresh coats of paint can make a huge difference. Do some simple landscaping to make the outside of your home look as good as possible. Consider upgrading the kitchen or having custom closets built, as these are the areas that people will look at first during showings.
  • Visit open houses in your area. Make note of the prices that the sellers are asking, and pay special attention to how the houses are staged, or set up. Your own agent will give you some ideas for decorating your home in a way that will help buyers envision themselves living there, and open houses are a great way to see some of these suggestions in a real-life home situation. You’re likely to notice muted colors, a lack of family photographs displayed and clean and clear surface areas. As you begin packing and getting your house ready to show, keep these suggestions and strategies in mind.
  • Choose the right agent to market your home. Ask the agents that you talk to how they get the word out about your house. You’ll want someone proactive, who advertises in several different venues and who is knowledgeable about your home and other homes in the area. Pick a date to put your house on the market, and keep everything in order so that you can accommodate showings on short notice.
Selling your home quickly and for a good price is partially dependent on good luck and the market conditions, but even more important are the features that make buyers want to place a bid on your home. Call in the professionals to get good advice on boosting your home’s value, and wish for the best!

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