Spring is almost here and it is typically the best time of year to sell a home. Families looking to move without changing schools mid-year will be looking to buy in the springtime. With your average sale taking 30 days to close, getting under contract in April or May is perfect for families with school-age children. This post should help you decide what improvements can maximize your home’s value. Here’s the strategy on how to sell your house in the spring and take advantage of this seasonal buyer pool.
Current Market Insights
Open houses on the Eastside have been busy the past few weekends, with much more activity compared to a few months ago. I’ve also seen listings adding offer review dates after getting lots of showings when they hit the market. In February, NWMLS agents added 5,231 new listings which was about 300 more listings than were added in January. You can expect the number of new listings to increase each month into the spring. Buyers are shopping a much smaller inventory pool right now compared to last year, when 7,920 listing were added in February 2022.
Some of the hotter listings ended up going pending a sizeable amount over the asking price, a bit reminiscent to early 2022. So how should you approach getting your home ready to sell in the spring?
Making Improvements
If you’ve been considering selling your home, you may be wondering which home improvements you should tackle to increase your home’s value before it goes on the market. While there are many home renovations that can add appeal to your home, it’s important to know which projects will increase your property value and which won’t.
That’s why Redfin has reached out to real estate professionals like me to help you determine which home improvement projects are worth your investment. Check out my insight on 12 Home Renovations That Don’t Add Value (and What to Do Instead).
Where to Get Started?
The article from Redfin lists some great Do’s and Don’ts but it can feel overwhelming if you’re not sure where to get started. When a new client wants to list their home one of the first things I do is a walkthrough. We discuss the listing process, logistics, and I advise them what changes can be made to make the home present in the best way possible. Here are some of my most common listing prep suggestions:
- Interior painting with neutral colors. Sherwin Williams Alabaster is my current favorite as it looks fresh and tends to go with everything.
- Spring is the perfect time for landscaping. A cleanup, fresh bark, sod, and pressure washing can go a long way towards making a home’s exterior shine.
- Declutter if a home will be occupied while listed. Renting a storage unit or purging to friends, neighbors, or online gifting groups is a great way to start.
- Staging is always recommended if the home will be vacant. It really helps the potential buyer visualize living there and doesn’t leave the home feeling cold or empty.
If you’re considering listing your home in the future, I’d be happy to have a conversation with you about the process. Feel free to contact me at your convivence.
-Jennifer