Seventy-five percent of Americans believe that now is a good time to buy a house, according to a recent report from the National Association of Realtors. That’s great news for anyone hoping to sell their home this spring.
Seasonal patterns can differ somewhat depending on climate and where you are in the country, but generally speaking, spring is the busiest season for home buying and selling. The weather is pleasant, days are longer, and curb appeal is at its peak, making it an ideal home shopping season.
However, one disadvantage for sellers in some markets is housing inventory: it tends to skyrocket in the spring. So how can you make your home stand out amongst all the others? Here are some tips to help you sell your home for the best price this season:
Clean, clean, and clean some more: It might be cliché, but make sure your home is “spring clean” throughout the entire selling process. When potential home buyers walk inside, they should see a well-organized, sparklingly clean house. If you can do nothing else, keep floors and windows scrubbed, take out trash and recycling frequently, and keep any clutter stored and out of the way.
Bring fresh flowers indoors: Springtime brings fresh flowers which, when brought inside, can be used as low-cost decor and fragrance. Many people prefer natural to artificial scents, making this a perfect staging technique for open houses. Just be aware that some buyers may have allergies, so avoid flowers with high pollen counts like daisies, chrysanthemums, or sunflowers.
Improve your curb appeal: How your home looks when buyers walk up to it can be just as important as how it looks when they walk into it. It’s important to make sure your home’s exterior is kept clean and well maintained throughout the season. At the very least, keep the grass trimmed by mowing regularly, make sure your shrubs and flower beds are well-tended, and scrub or paint over any stains or chipped paint on your home’s exterior.
Let the light in: Take advantage of the longer, warmer days by opening your windows and brightening up your home. Keep your blinds open and your curtains pulled back to let in as much natural light as possible. If a room doesn’t receive much sunlight, a well-placed mirror can help capture and reflect light from other rooms to brighten a space.
The Greater Chattanooga Open House Weekend (April 23-24) will be here soon. By following a few tips and making a couple of simple improvements, you can make your home more appealing to buyers and hopefully help sell it quickly. If you are interested in selling or buying a home this spring, contact a Realtor today.
The Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors is “The Voice of Real Estate in Greater Chattanooga.” The Association is a regional organization with more than 1,500 members, and is one of more than 1,400 local boards and associations of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. The Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors services Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade, and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. For more information, visit www.gcar.net.