Well, we made it to Friday! The weekend cannot begin soon enough, am I right?! Thank you for taking a few minutes out of your busy morning to visit with me. Friday Morning Coffee will be a regular conversation, in which I will answer REAL questions from you – our clients, vendors, connections, and followers.
This morning, I have an inquiry from an anonymous connection.
Question: “When is the best time to put my house on the market?”
Answer: In all honesty, it is my experience that spring is the best time of year to sell. Specifically, your front yard should be ready to don a FOR SALE sign by April 1st. No worries if you’re not there yet. There are some quick things you can do now to take advantage of the spring market.
- Start with curb appeal. You only get one chance at making a good first impression. So, my advice is clean up outside. In CNY the snow melts a little slower and the grass take a little longer to green; but that doesn’t mean a seller should ignore primping outside. Clean up winter debris from the lawn and walkways, and place potted plants and flowers strategically around the property. Take a look at the front door and garage door – they made need a fresh coat of paint. Also, clean any outdoor light fixtures and replace bulbs as needed. Lastly, make sure your gutters are fairly clean and free of debris. Curb appeal matters!
- Clean your windows! Take a rag and some window cleaner and add a little sparkle both inside and out!
- Declutter and depersonalize your home. Work on one room at a time and replace family photos with decorative art, while packing and storing any items that might make a room look cluttered (especially closets – store seasonal clothing in bins that can be hidden in a basement or storage unit, to make your closets look more spacious and open). It is imperative to make a home appear to have plenty of closet space. For a good first impression your home should be clean and tidy. Do yourself a favor and start packing before the FOR SALE sign goes in the front yard.
- Be proactive and repair anything you know needs fixing. If you don’t, a home inspector will find it and the buyer may ask for more than it will cost you to make those repairs now.
- Contact a real estate professional. It’s just as important to consult with someone who has first hand knowledge and experience of your region’s real estate market. Pricing your home appropriately and marketing it effectively is critical from the start. Lean on experience for a smooth selling process, and take some stress off your own shoulders.
So, what’s on YOUR mind? Let me know and yours could be the next conversation posted here.
