What spring cleaning can I do before listing a home for sale?
A clean home is an appealing home. A deep clean is warranted if you want to get the best price possible. Dingy and dirty surfaces and spaces can turn off potential buyers or renters who may not want to spend on maintenance and upkeep. Some tasks, however, are more important than others.
Declutter the entire property, inside and out
Decluttering tidies and cleans, but it also makes a space appear larger. An overflowing closet, cabinet, or pantry on the other hand, tells a buyer that the space is too small. Be sure to hit every area in your decluttering efforts, including sheds and outdoor buildings. Buyers may want to explore every nook and cranny before making an offer.
At the same time, you do not want to clear out the entire space. The right furniture and household items can give home buyers an idea of how they can use the space.
Your property is a stage
While decluttering, consider how a professional interior designer or real estate professional might lay out your home furnishings to be more appealing to buyers. Buyers typically want to see modern design aesthetics that highlight a home’s features. You may want to consider renting a space to store excess or worn out furniture you plan on keeping, and renting the right furniture to stage your home for buyers.
Get out the paintbrush and toolbelt
Fresh paint can enliven a room and gives it a clean, well-maintained feeling. Minor repairs and maintenance you can undertake yourself are also good ideas. If you cannot complete these types of tasks, it may be smart to get some help. Cleaning small wall scrapes or replacing light fixtures help show a potential buyer that the home is cared for. Fixing everything that can be easily repaired can keep potential buyers focused on the positives.
Tidy up before showings
A thorough deep clean will improve the floors, fixtures, and furniture. But it’s all a waste of time if you don't keep it going. Maintain a regular cleaning schedule, or hire a service, to keep everything in good shape. This can make it easier to get ready for both planned and last minute showings. Keeping a home that clean can be challenging, but it is worth the effort if you can drive more demand and sell at a higher price.
How can I improve my property’s curb appeal?
Curb appeal is a big deal. Some buyers and renters will not even look inside a house if they do not like what they see outside. Curb appeal is something homeowners can change fairly easily with little time and effort. Some outdoor upgrades are cost-effective solutions to make a glowing first impression.
Greenery is good
Flowers and green grass help. Dead brush and brown leaf litter do not.
Clean and trim existing bushes or other landscaping, while adding mulch or rock to flower beds. The goal is to provide a clean, maintained look. Even if you do not have much of a green space, hanging planters and window boxes can do the trick.
Power wash or paint the home’s exterior
Simple maintenance like power washing can spruce up the outside of a home. If you have vinyl siding, check it for nicks and cracks. Power washing siding can also remove unsightly dirt and grime, providing a fresh, clean look.
If you have siding that can be painted, consider giving the whole home a fresh coat of paint. New paint not only makes the surface look cleaner, but makes your property look like a new home.
Clear the paths
Sidewalks and pathways covered in debris, toys, or other items can make getting to the front door hazardous. Just like indoor spaces, too much clutter makes an outdoor space look smaller than it is. A few strategically placed items on a patio or porch will draw the eye to the front door and make the home more inviting.
What home improvements or renovations can I perform to increase the sale price?
Home improvements can increase the value of a home. If done correctly, they can pay off exponentially. New flooring, paint, and other cost-effective improvements are worth exploring.
Bathrooms and kitchens are good areas to focus on too, but may be more risky. Even a minor bathroom remodel, like swapping out faucets or other fixtures, can add thousands of dollars to the sale price. Just be careful about the return on investment when considering any renovation project. High-cost renovations may not add enough to the home’s value to be worthwhile.
A local real estate agent can help you determine which projects might be the most beneficial in your area. For instance, if your home is the only one on the block without a white picket fence, you might want to consider adding one.
Energy-efficient improvements can be a huge selling point for a lot of prospective buyers. For example, tankless water heaters and more efficient windows will appeal to buyers without breaking your bank.
What marketing techniques help to sell or lease a home in the spring?
Marketing is especially important if you are selling or leasing your home without a real estate agent and, even, with one. For instance, you could encourage your agent to schedule open houses around the time of day when you have the most sunlight in your home. Home staging can also be a good investment for marketing as well.
Landlords searching for renters on their own and property owners using For Sale by Owner methods can also utilize social media and online listing sites. A real estate professional in your area can help with insights specific to your market.
If you have questions about hiring contractors, or leasing or selling your property, reach out to a Rocket Lawyer network attorney for affordable legal advice. If you need tax help, Rocket Lawyer can now match you with a tax pro for affordable and convenient tax filing services. Leave your taxes to a pro with Rocket Tax!
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Rocket Lawyer is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.
