You Ask, We Answer: How Should I Prepare to List My House in Spring?
Spring is in full swing, and typically, that’s a very busy time for the Connecticut real estate market. If you’ve been considering listing your home for sale, there are a few helpful steps to take to get it ready to enter the market. After all, the more prepared you are now, the better off you’ll be when those showing requests start rolling in. Here are five ways to prepare to list your home in spring.
1. Contact a Calcagni Real Estate agent
The first and most important step to listing your Connecticut home for sale? Contacting a Calcagni Real Estate agent. With over 50 years in the Connecticut real estate business, Calcagni is well-versed in the local market. That means that our agents will be able to tell you not only what’s happening in Connecticut real estate as a whole, but right in your neighborhood–and that means they can help you list your home at the best price. Plus, Calcagni Real Estate agents are known for going the extra mile–and with an in-house, award-winning marketing team to ensure your home garners the most exposure, you’ll know your home is in the right hands.
2. Declutter, then toss or donate
Once your Calcagni Real Estate agent has performed an Equity Analysis on your home, it’s time to get to work. Listing your home in the busy spring season means getting it ready for potential buyers who want to be able to picture themselves living in your space.
To ensure your home looks as appealing to buyers as possible, it’s important to declutter your home. Maybe it’s a few piles of mail or old magazines, or maybe you have knick-knacks or personal photos scattered across multiple surfaces. Perhaps your shared closet has become a little unwieldy. We all collect “stuff” as time goes by, but now is the time to go through what you really need (and will want to move!), and what can be thrown away or donated. A decluttered space will not only look cleaner and brighter, but will also make your home look bigger–all selling points to potential buyers.
3. Make those repairs you’ve been meaning to…
Selling your house in spring is a great motivator to finally work through that “to-do” list you’ve been meaning to address. Repairing odds and ends: cracks or dings in the wall, that kitchen drawer that doesn’t close correctly, the grout on the bathroom tile that could use a touch-up. Having these items checked off your list isn’t just great for potential buyers to see when they view your house, but doing so will lessen your stress level when you list your Connecticut home for sale.
4. Spring clean
Once you’ve decluttered and made all those repairs on odds and ends throughout your house, it’s time to do a deep spring clean. If you have carpeting in your Connecticut home, consider renting a steam carpet cleaner or hiring a professional to really get rugs and carpeting looking fresh. Do a deep scrub clean of all bathrooms, including tiles and floors (don’t forget behind the toilets!). Deep clean your kitchen, including your refrigerator, and take time to clean floors, counters, and even inside cabinets. Before you open your home to showings, you may want to put away any non-essential appliances like blenders, coffee grinders, or anything else that takes up valuable counter space. Buyers need to be able to see how much space your home can offer, and clean countertops can be a great asset when it comes to selling your home!
5. Spruce up the exterior
Lastly, take some time to spruce up the exterior of your home. If possible, rent a power washer and give your siding and deck or patio a deep clean. Wash windows, trim back overgrown bushes (especially if they’re close to the house or block sunlight), mow the lawn and make sure weeds are removed. If you don’t already have a garden and your budget allows for it, consider planting flower pots near your entryway to brighten it up and create a welcoming feel to your home.
With a little elbow grease and some dedication, listing your Connecticut home for sale in spring doesn’t have to be overwhelming. And remember: Calcagni Real Estate is there to help see you through, every step of the way.
