Winter Real Estate Opportunities: Preparing to List in Spring 2020
Believe it or not, if you’re planning to sell your home when spring rolls around, then winter is the perfect time to start prepping for a quick, uncomplicated sale. Many consider the harsh winter months to be the “off” season when it comes to real estate, but we actually see winter as a season of great opportunity.
Planning to List Your Home for Sale in Spring 2020
Now is the time to get ahead of the listing chaos. Selling a home can be very stressful, especially as it requires so much work on the front end. So, use these quiet months to your advantage so that you’re not rushing to complete your pre-listing checklist in the middle of peak real estate season. Here’s what you can do this winter to prepare your home for a successful spring listing:
- The Walk-Through – One of the first steps in preparing your home to go on the market is the walk-through. You’ll want to take your time, carefully assessing your home’s condition, both inside and out. Winter is a great time to get an objective overview because your view will be unobstructed and you will get a straightforward take on your home’s curb appeal. Could your home use a bit of a facelift with a fresh coat of paint? Has any weathering occurred that needs to be addressed? Is the yard tidy and uncluttered? On the inside, do the carpets need to be replaced? Are your windows sealed properly? How about the caulking around the bathrooms and appliances? Look at your home from a potential buyers’ perspective. If you were seeing it for the first time, could you imagine yourself living there? Now is the time to work on the home improvements that will take your home from drab to fab come time for a spring listing.
- The Exterior – During your walk-through and assessment of your home’s exterior, take note of not just the structure’s appearance but the property as a whole. Note any repairs that need to be made as well as general maintenance that needs to be conducted, like the clearing of gutters, raking of the lawn, the planting of new spring bulbs, the trimming of trees, etc. This is the time to really work on that vital first impression your home will make on a potential buyer. You might even take this time to add a few extra touches to make your home really stand out, like adding some lanterns or lights around the pathway to the front door or simply adding a couple of potted evergreen trees on the porch.
- De-Clutter – From the interior to the exterior, you’re going to want plenty of time to remove all clutter and distractions from your home. This is where people really get stressed out when it comes time for listing simply because they leave it to the last minute. Instead, get ahead of the stress, and do these chores now. Remember, once your listing goes up in spring, you want your home to be free of any excess furniture or personal items that will distract from the flow of the house and a buyers’ ability to visualize their belongings in the home. Put everything you won’t need over the next few months in storage. Then, take some time to neatly organize and store the rest of your belongings within your home.
- Think Fresh – Once you’ve given your home the facelift it needs to really shine in the spring, don’t forget to give it a little extra sparkle by simply brightening things up. From added light to lighter paint colors on the walls, think bright! The light of a home is what really helps potential buyers make that emotional connection needed for them to say, “I’d like to make an offer.” So, make sure your home is bright and airy, drawing focus to things like big open spaces, updated appliances, the beautiful new trim or carpeting, etc. You want that lightness that brings focus to all of the wonderful features of your home.
Take advantage of these cold winter months by getting ahead of the stress that surrounds any home listing. By simply working your way through the above-mentioned steps, you can prepare your home for a successful spring listing with ease and, best of all, on your own timeline.
