Friday, March 31, 2023

Real Estate: Market starts to pick up as spring arrives

By Tia Morrell

Spring has sprung! The arguably best season in real estate has finally arrived. It is now time to open those curtains and enjoy the sunshine. Perhaps over the winter you have been debating on packing up and making a move. Now is a great time for sellers, as there is an influx of buyers who are patiently waiting to scoop up a home before summer. In the last few weeks, we have seen an insane amount of interest in homes — with open houses packed, and multiple offer situations on almost every home. Buyers and sellers are finding common ground, with both parties pleased even during negotiations. If you are thinking to list, you do not want to miss this spring market. As a Realtor®, it is important to me to ease the process for my clients when it comes to preparation prior to listing. Here are some tips and tricks to getting your home listing ready!

#1: Declutter — It’s time to simplify and get rid of that stack of mail that has been sitting on the counter. You don’t need to get rid of anything but start by cleaning up tables, cabinets, closets… You want to make things look as crisp and organized as possible. When buyers attend showings, they want to be able to imagine their own personal belongings in the home.

#2: Touch Ups + Painting — Maybe there’s a ding in the door or a little scratch in the bedroom. Grab a couple cans of paint, and a paintbrush and go to town. Be elaborate, as trim and walls are some of the only things that buyers will see if a property is shown vacant. Is the bedroom orange? Let’s change that to something a little more neutral. The home will show so much better and add value if you are able to get these small things fixed.

#3: Depersonalize — Studies find that buyers will be more attracted to a space, if the home resembles a blank canvas. Neutrality is important, It gives buyers the opportunity to see themselves living there and what they would do to make a home feel more like them. As cute as the photos of the family may be, and as proud of the awards you have displayed may make you.. they unfortunately won’t get your home closer to sale.

#4: Cleaning — Without a doubt, this is probably the most important thing you will need to do. Cleanliness is key. You want the home to look as large and clean as possible; No laundry on the floor, clean counters, floors, and carpets; bleached bathrooms; dust bunnies and cobwebs vacuumed. It may seem like a daunting task if things have gotten away from you for a while. We all know that cleaning takes time — which is why I personally hire cleaning teams or organization teams for all my listing clients. You don’t want buyers to think your house should be worth less because of something as small as a dirty toilet or unorganized pantries.

#6: Landscaping — Curb appeal is so important. It is of course the first thing people see when approaching your home. Buyers want to feel warm and fuzzy and safe when they walk up! Get out the power washer and start spraying to clean up your vinyl, and foundations; clean your windows and glass doors. The land is a huge part of a buyer’s assessment so it is imperative that you get out and mow the lawn or even seed the grass; replace the lightbulb by the front door. If there isn’t a mailbox, maybe head over to Lowe’s to grab one! If there are any dead bushes or trees, it could be time to rip those up! Remember: Blank Canvas.

#7: Add Special Touches — The scent of fresh cookies before an open house, or the aroma of fresh flowers are always a great way to welcome buyers into your home. You don’t have to go above and beyond to impress them, but something as small as a welcome mat, or accent pillows and lit candles can do a world of difference. Even getting the documentation available on your home and labeling your electrical panel will really show that you gave thought and consideration to listing your home!

Hopefully, with these tips you will be ready to sell your home in a jiffy! If you have questions about this process and would like to see what services I offer as a Realtor®, you can contact me anytime. Good luck, and happy spring!

Tia Morrell is a Realtor for Landing Real Estate in Windham. Call her at 207-317-1833 or send her an email at tmorrell@landinghomesmaine.com.

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