Real estate: Selling in spring

(Photo by Beyond My Ken via Wikimedia Commons)

The spring market is about to hit full speed ahead so now is the critical time for sellers to prepare their home for market.

Sellers working with licensed Realtors should heed their advice on what will make their home sell well and fast. In the fall, I encourage warmth, comforting smells, and a refuge from the cold. For the spring market I always focus on keeping all of my listings fresh. Spring represents new beginnings and buyers want to find a home that gives them just that. While you may love the dark paint colors or wallpapered bathroom you spent so much time on, not all buyers will see the “charm” in it.

I always recommend neutral paint colors on all walls in order to allow buyers to visualize their design ideas throughout. Heavy curtains or drapery will weigh down the home and block sunlight from pouring in. Fresh linens or a lightly colored duvet will bring an airy feel to bedrooms, while well-lit spaces will create a feeling of brightness.  Landscaping is probably one of the most important areas to spend time on before the spring market hits.

This is the time of year that prospective buyers want to take their time noting curb appeal as well as outdoor entertaining and relaxation space. It will be worth the cost to have a professional lawn care service come to your home and clean up the yard after the long winter months. From there, make sure to manage the exterior of your home each week by planting flowers or shrubbery, sweeping away debris and keeping your lawn tamed.

Quite possibly the most important part of your exterior will be how fresh your paint, roof, gutters, and windowpanes look. Often I recommend a paint touch up on windows or front doors as well as a full gutter clean out prior to going on the market. Having a spring-cleaning day including scrubbing windows also allows for increased sunlight and a decrease in mustiness.

Add bright colored flowers on your kitchen counter or dining room table and keep the temperature a bit cool to create that sought after fresh feeling as prospective buyers open your home.

Sue Goodhart is the top-producing agent at McEnearney Associates in Alexandria and is licensed in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Reach her at 202-507-7800 or sue@suegoodhart.com.