Spring is here and with it comes house buying and selling!
Having recently moved, I gathered tips from my agents (Laura Scheetz in MT and Karen Province in Boise) as well as Melissa Miles (Finding 43 Real Estate) to consider.
BEFORE listing:
Melissa: “Pretend your house is getting ready for a first date. You want it to stand out… in a GOOD way!”
- Time to declutter! Channel some Marie Kondo and part with items that aren’t “sparking joy.”
- Bring on mega-spring cleaning. Pressure wash your house. Remove cobwebs. Fix up landscaping. Mow your lawn/pull weeds. Clean the windows. Deep clean the interior! Declutter! Vacuum underneath furniture and wipe under appliances. Steam clean carpets, or if they’re in poor shape, consider getting them re-stretched or replaced if able. SCRUB those floorboards. Dust everything—get your light fixtures and mirrors sparkling clean.
- What home repairs have you been putting off? Leaky faucet? Torn window screen? Chipped paint? Depending on your budget, be proactive and fix what you can.
- Get packing! Remove personal items.
When staging:
Melissa: “The goal is to create a clean, bright, and open space.”
- Curb appeal! Imagine potential buyers pulling up. What’s their first impression? Repaint the faded front door. Add a new welcome mat or flowers for spring charm.
- Less is more! Store your things in the garage (or a storage unit). Keep rooms tidy, neutral, and inviting. Gather children’s toys in cute bins.
- Don’t overlook the lighting! Beyond showing off freshly cleaned windows, you want to create bright and open spaces. Our agent had us replace all the light bulbs with Daylight versus Soft White. It sounded tedious and a bit spendy, but you know what? The new bulbs—consistent throughout the home—brightened the space.
- From one Pet Mom to another, keep in mind not all people love the look (and smell!) of pet homes. Keep your floors and doors clean from dog hair and muddy prints. Keep the kitty litter fresh! Can you put their beds, crates, water dishes, and toys away during showings?
- Furniture and wall hangings: Can you remove any? Sometimes the pieces that hold the most nostalgia don’t look great during tours. Get couch covers if you have an old couch you can’t part with. You may need to box up books (*gasp*) and store your many (if you’re like me!) bookshelves to show interior walls.
As Melissa reminds us, “Buyers will know what a good house looks like and be quick to jump on it."
Good luck this season home buyers and sellers!
Add a vase of fresh flowers, or potted plants tastefully positioned in a room to add a little color.
