Many of you throughout Lancaster County are considering listing your home to sell in the Spring. It may seem early, but now is the perfect time to start preparing your home for Spring! Even if you aren’t thinking of selling, many of the ideas we’ve included here are great home maintenance tips as we head into warmer weather.
Pay attention to curb appeal.Â
We can’t stress this enough. Whether you own a townhouse in Ephrata, a condo in Hempfield, or a single-family home in Manheim Township, curb appeal is key! We’ve all heard the saying “you only get one chance to make a first impression”; the same is true for your home. You want to make sure your home looks well cared for and inviting.
Be sure that the outside of your home is clean. Consider power-washing your siding, patios, and other outside surfaces. Patio areas can be staged with furniture to show their use, however be sure to keep things simple and not cluttered. Gutters should be clear and areas surrounding doors and windows are clean. If helpful, consider having your lawn professionally treated. It’s best to have your lawn and landscaping looking well kept and healthy. Colorful flowers are also a great touch to draw attention and add curb appeal.
Spring clean & de-clutter inside.
While potential buyers will often make their first impression based on the outside of the home, you want to be sure they have a great impression of the inside of the home as well. Take the time to de-clutter the home. Boxing up unnecessary items and storing them out of site will help make the awesome rooms in your home the center of attention. Consider some of these home-staging tips when going through your property.
Once the home has been de-cluttered, give everything a good cleaning. Wiping out cabinets, dusting furniture, and cleaning floors go a long way to making your home look great. You may even consider having your carpets professionally cleaned.
Consider a home inspection.Â
A few weeks ago we talked about the power of getting a pre-listing home inspection. If you’re preparing your home to sell in the spring, now is a great time to have an inspection completed. The home inspector will look over your property thoroughly and provide you with a report that includes his findings. Consider making repairs that the home inspector suggests based on items of high priority and things that you’re easily able to take care of.
Learn about your real estate market.Â
Educating yourself on the local real estate market is key to being prepared to place your home on the market. Spend time learning about the market in your town and even your neighborhood. What are homes near by selling for? How long does it typically take to sell a home in your area? Being equipped with this information can assist you in making smart decisions when deciding when to list your home and what asking price you’d like to start at.
Interview real estate agents.
Your choice of listing agent has a huge impact on the sale of your home. Interview several realtors who have experience and a history of selling homes in your area. Choosing a realtor with a strong marketing plan and a lot of experience is key to a successful home sale. Don’t just list with the realtor who gives you the highest price for your home, as you’ll often end up very disappointed in the outcome.
Selling your home is one of the largest financial decisions you’ll make. Taking the time to prepare your home and yourself, as well as getting educated on the market and the process, can save you time, frustration, and valuable money!