17 Top Tips for Selling Your Home

1. Declutter countertops and surfaces

First, take care of the mess in the kitchen. Clear up the scattered paperwork, stacks of unopened mail, chargers, and random mugs. Place only the essentials on the countertop, such as a clean coffee maker, toaster, and decorative spice rack. Bathroom countertops also tend to get cluttered over time. Scrub the sink until it’s spotless and organize your toiletries in the medicine cabinet or cleared away completely.

2. Wash your windows

Window washing likely isn’t in your frequent house-cleaning rotation of tasks, but it can make a big difference in how your house shows.

3. Dust and wipe every shelf and cabinet

Dust shelves, lamps and ceiling fans, and wipe down cabinets, closets, and baseboards as part of your home prep.

4. Polish hardwood floors

Some floors need to be waxed instead of polished and the wrong technique or solution could dull the finish. Move aside as much furniture as possible and work a flat-surface mop over the floors. Wait at least a day before moving anything back so that the polish can settle in.

5. Get rid of the dog smell

Wash your pet beds and crates as part of your spring listing preparations. Vacuum the bed, carpets, and areas that your pet likes to lounge around to get most of the shedding.

6. Tend to the yard and landscape

You want to have great curb appeal. Make your home stand out from the street. Rake away the debris and tree branches from around your home and get them into compost bags for your city pickup. Bust out the lawn mower and trim and prune the overgrown shrubs and smaller trees.

7. Plant pops of color and lay down fresh mulch

Adding bright flowers and fresh mulch is a great way to ramp up curb appeal. Brightly colored flowers that reflect the vibrant season will catch the buyers’ eye. Red flower varieties, like zinnias, pop against a neutral-colored home while yellow flowers, like easy-to-maintain daffodils, exude warmth and happiness. Before you get to planting, make sure to re-mulch your flower beds. You only need an inch of fresh mulch for the beds, which will help your flowers retain moisture and keep the lawn looking clean for the rest of spring.

8. Make sure the front door is pristine

The key to swoon-worthy curb appeal is a functional, spotless, and newly painted front door with a few simple decorative touches. Make sure the door works well and the key lock is easy to operate. Scrub down the dirt and grime on the door, doorbell and any fixtures. Touch up the paint, if necessary, and place a welcome mat and pretty wreath on the front door for a fresh, homey feel.

9. Clear the rain gutters

All you need to clear the rain gutters is a hose, ladder, and shovel. Scoop out dead leaves and debris, then spray the hose through the gutters.

10. Test the AC unit and change out filters

HVAC maintenance is a very important spring maintenance task. If there’s no time for a full HVAC check-up from a professional, change out the filters and test that the AC unit still works.

11. Inspect and clean the siding

The siding on your home can enhance curb appeal, as well as protect your house from day-to-day wear and tear. You definitely want to clean the outside of your home to make sure it looks great for showings.

12. Power wash the driveway

Spring is the perfect season to power wash your driveway. You can remove stains, oils, and salt from the winter just in time for an open house.

13. Get the roof inspected for any winter damage

A roof is supposed to last about 25 years, but we all know that they rarely do given the weather elements. It is always a good idea to get a quick inspection from a professional. Roofers actually recommend getting a check-up for your roof twice a year, once in the spring (after winter) and once in the fall (before winter).

14. Let there be light!

Open your blinds for natural light (especially once you’ve washed the windows…). You need to make sure your home is bright to enhance the buyer’s overall experience.

15. Take the “you” out of your home

Depersonalize your home with the buyer in mind. Go room by room and try to look at your home through the eyes of a buyer. Depersonalize your home and pre-pack collections, clothing, and any items you can live without for the next 90 days. You want buyers to feel like they can build a life in this house and move in the very next day. So, pack up the family pictures and stow away your sports memorabilia.

16. Liven up the space with pops of color

You should provide a homey vibe for buyers to feel when they step through your front door. A great way to add personality to your home is to put pops of color throughout the house with accessories, such as pillows and artwork.

17. Run a comparative market analysis and don’t get greedy with your price

Price the house against the competition—you’re not the only homeowner with the idea of a spring sale! First impressions are everything when selling your home. If your price is perceived as too high, you will quickly lose your initial audience and find yourself relying only on the trickle of new buyers entering the market each day. A comparative market analysis helps you determine how much your own home is worth. As a real estate professional, we can help you price your home for the right buyers and market it online to get the best offers possible. You have only one chance to grab attention. Make sure your pricing helps you stand out on the shelf in a positive way. If you ask for too much, your house will get overlooked for others that are priced correctly the first time. Even if it’s a seller’s market, buyers are informed with their own agents and research from real estate sites that show the prices of other houses in your area are. The longer your house stays on the market, the more value it stands to lose.