Tips & Tricks to Get Your Home Ready for the Spring Market in Niagara Region
Are you are planning on putting your house on the market this spring? If you are, then now is the time to get started. As your professional agent for all your Niagara real estate needs, there are several things you can do to make your home stand out from the rest. Here’s how to get a quick sale at or close to full market value. Read on and get ready to turn that ‘For Sale’ sign into a ‘Sold’.
Spring is often the most popular homebuying season. Birds are chirping, bulbs are peeking through the soil, and homebuyers are coming out of hibernation. The traditional hot spring real estate market is about to get underway in Niagara. Whether it is a starter home, an upgrade, downsizing or moving out of town, there are sure to be a greater number of properties hitting the market.
Simple Spring-Cleaning Tips
I get asked a lot of real estate questions about how to sell your home and what buyers are looking for. Believe it or not, the simplest answer is to clean up your home and get it in tiptop shape before listing. I feel that any buyer is looking for a spotless, clean home that they can move into without having to do a lot of do-it-yourself repairs or upkeep. Below are some easy spring-cleaning tips that will go a long way when it comes to attracting interested buyers.
Make Those Windows Sparkle
Niagara offers some spectacular views, but if your windows are covered in smudges, dust and cobwebs, those views might go unnoticed by potential homebuyers.
Take a little bit of time to clean the windows in your home as well as the ledges both inside and out. This little extra effort will allow the sunlight to pour in and make your home seem especially inviting.
Give Your Yard Some TLC
After the winter months, getting back into yard work can seem like a daunting task. However, the sooner you get out there with a rake and trimmer, the easier it will be to bring some life back to your yard.
Start by raking any dead leaves and debris in your lawn. Trim up bushes and tree branches that have overgrown, so you can show off the exterior of your home. If needed, mow the lawn, and trim the edges of your lawn around the driveway and walkways. A neat, tidy yard will show homebuyers that you care, which will likely be a good indicator of the state of the inside of the house as well.
Add some Springtime Colour
Embrace the season by planting a few tulips or pansies near your home’s entrance. These flowers are a pretty reminder of the season and will make your home seem like an inviting, happy place.
You can even purchase or cut a few flowers to place in vases around your home. The natural scents they give off will bring a sense of freshness and vibrancy to the interior of your house. Plus, they’re just so pretty to look at!
Don’t Forget the Floors
Dull floors distract homebuyers from all the other hard work you have put into spring cleaning. If necessary, consider refinishing your hardwood floors so they look like new. Clean your ceramic and linoleum floors until they shine and bleach any dull grout between the tiles. Additionally, make sure your area rugs are thoroughly vacuumed and clean.
Make Time for Staging
Even in a hot real estate market, your home will not sell nearly as quickly without being properly staged. A well-staged home is a home that will allow a potential buyer to envision themselves and their lifestyle in your space. This is such an important piece when it comes to selling your home. If your home is staged well, it should not be on the Niagara real estate market for very long.
When I am discussing selling strategies and the exact angle that we will want to take when listing your property, one of the most important pieces of a successful sale is a well-staged home. However, do you know how to properly stage your home?
A good real estate agent will not only be able to help you with this important task, but they should also be able to help highlight your home and make it eye-catching for potential buyers. For example, perhaps your landscaped yard should be a centerpiece for open houses. These are the types of things a good real estate agent should be able to properly frame to make your home more attractive to potential buyers. Here are a few suggestions and tips on how to properly stage your home before listing it:
*Less is More
A properly staged home is one that uses the ‘the less is more’ approach. Remember to stage your home with a minimal amount of furniture in each room. This minimalist approach will allow any potential home buyer to see the floor plan and overall layout of not only each room but also the house as a whole.
Remember to also use this approach when it comes to your walls as only a few pictures and mirrors are a great addition to a well-staged home. More than a few can make your walls and your home look crowded and therefore, smaller. With the ‘less is more’ home staging approach, you should start to see offers pouring in after your first open house.
*You Have to Spend Money to Make Money
This adage holds true when you are looking to get full market value for your home. When you put your home on the market, you will want a home that looks well cared for and does not need a lot of renovations or replacements. Renovations and replacements are the quickest ways to scare away potential buyers. Instead, take the time to make sure your home is in great working order and is presentable and attractive to buyers. Use your spring-cleaning time to ensure that all parts of your home both inside and outside are in great condition before listing your house.
*Paint Those Walls
A fresh coat of paint on your walls is a great way to finalize a sale. If you choose to paint your walls, remember to use a neutral colour such as tan, beige or grey and stay away from bold or dark colours. These neutral colours are far more attractive to the buyer and will make your home that much more attractive.
Hire a Local Niagara Real Estate Professional
In addition to spring cleaning, hiring a qualified real estate agent can make the home selling process especially painless. As a long-time local, I know the area very well, and I know what people look for when buying a home here. I can help take the stress out of selling your home and will work diligently to make your property ready for the springtime market.
When the time comes to move, your feelings may vary. Of course, house hunting is an exciting endeavor, but leaving your old home behind can be emotional. Not to mention, you have got to get it sold first. That can be very stressful, especially if this is your first time.
Selling is very different from buying. When you buy a home, it seems as if you have the ball in your court. The decisions are yours to make, and in the end, you walk away victorious with a property purchase. Selling your Niagara home might feel like you are the underdog, at the mercy of the market and shoppers who want a lot more than they are willing to give, but you are in much better shape than you might realize.
A local real estate agent can be your greatest asset. I will be able to assess the value of your home and help you price it properly. I also have intimate knowledge of the local market that you do not have, so I’ll be able to give you realistic expectations. Placing a home as “for sale by owner” can come with hidden risks, such as financial or legal problems. During negotiations, your agent will be able to communicate your terms with potential buyers so that you sell your home for a fair price and minimize those risks.
Follow the Trends
If you are able, spend some time keeping up with the local real estate trends so that you can place your home on the market during a spike. Traditionally, the spring months, March and April, are widely considered the best time to place a home up for sale. This is the time when eager buyers are taking advantage of competitive prices and milder temperatures to get out there and find their perfect home.
Market Value
I have access to the other properties that have sold in and around your neighbourhood, stats on how long each took to sell and what they sold for. These details should help you set a fair asking price, and from this baseline, you should be able to get reasonable market value for your home.
Working with other Local Realtors
I also have the ability to network with other real estate agents in Niagara and surrounding areas. This networking will bring more potential and serious buyers to your house. The more potential buyers, the more opportunities you will have to sell your home. Who knows, with the right networking you may even get more than market value!
Tying up Loose Ends
Finally, when all is said and done and you have sold your home, I will be able to complete the necessary paperwork and leave you with more time to celebrate your recent sale and get ready for the dreaded and busy time of packing.
ARE YOU READY?
Niagara's spring real estate market is just about to begin. If you have been thinking about listing your home, then now is the time. Take a few days or weeks to deep clean your home thoroughly, both inside and outside, so that it stands out from the competition.
Work with the right real estate agent that understands the complexities of the real estate market and also has a great grasp on your neighbourhood and the community. Finally, stage your home the right way so that it not only attracts a wide range of buyers but also helps cement your home as a buyer’s first choice.
If you have any questions about listing your home or would like more information on any of the above points, please contact me today. I would love to answer any questions that you may have. I am looking forward to being a part of your sales team and helping you turn that ‘For Sale’ sign into a ‘Sold’. I look forward to seeing you soon and putting my over 30 years experience to work for you.
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