Get Ahead of the Market: How to Prepare Your Home for a Spring Sale

The spring real estate market is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for home sales, giving you a great opportunity if you are looking at making a move. If you are planning to sell your home next spring, now is the time to start preparing. By tackling key projects over the winter, you can ensure your home is market-ready, will stand out to potential buyers, and you have time to do everything you can to sell for top dollar. Here is your guide to getting ready to sell by spring.

November | Evaluate and Plan

November is the time to take stock of your home and create a plan for the months ahead.

The first step, call me!

Interview Real Estate Agents
Reach out to a trusted real estate agent (like me, Ashley Wilson) for a completely free, zero obligation, market evaluation. I will do the research you need in order to put your best foot forward with your home, and will provide you the expertise and advice about which steps to take to yield the best return on investment.

Conduct a Home Inspection
Together, we can identify potential repairs or maintenance issues. Small problems like leaky faucets or squeaky doors can turn off buyers, but are easily resolved before listing. Fixing them now will save you time later, and help maximize your sale price.

Declutter and Organize
Start decluttering your home. Focus on the main living areas, bedrooms, closets, basements, and garages, especially where clutter tends to accumulate. Donate, recycle, or sell items you no longer need. While you are doing this, take the steps to remove or store away any personalized belongings. You can pack away the family photos, patch any photo frame holes, and store away any collections. Buyers want to be able to picture themselves in the home, and will have an easier time when there is no clutter and family memories.

December | Repairs and Updates

Use December to address repairs and make value-boosting updates.

Small Repairs
Fix minor issues such as chipped paint, broken tiles, or squeaky hinges. You may also want to consider updates like light switches, cabinet handles, or light fixtures, for a more modern touch.

Focus on Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is your first impression! Even if you were listing in the winter, curb appeal matters. Keep pathways clear of leaves, snow and debris, and consider adding outdoor lighting to make your home more inviting. Once spring rolls around, prepare all the landscaping and have the lawn mowed regularly.

Update Your Paint
Neutral colors appeal to most buyers. If your walls are bright or bold, repainting them in neutral tones can help buyers envision themselves in the space. Bright whites can also make the room look more spacious. Stay away from anything too out-of-the-ordinary. 

January | Deep Clean and Continue To Declutter
With the holidays behind you, January is the perfect time to deep clean and create a more polished look.

Deep Clean Your Home
Focus on windows, baseboards, carpets, and any areas that may have been overlooked. People often forget blinds, light fixutres, and appliances - be sure not to miss those.  A clean home feels newer and well-maintained.

Organize Key Spaces
Pay special attention to areas that buyers care about most: living room, kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, and storage spaces. Organize your pantry, tidy up under the sinks, and make closets look spacious. Put away all clutter, box up anything not needed for the next few months for storage, remove family photos and personalized items. Also be sure to put small kitchen appliances away in the pantry or cupboard.

Stage Strategically
If you’ve already decluttered, begin light staging. Rearrange furniture to create an open flow and highlight your home’s best features. Consider complimentary blankets and pillows on couches and beds. Have decor for the tables and island. 

February | Final Touches and Marketing Prep
As spring approaches, focus on finalizing your home’s presentation and preparing for the listing debut.

Professional Photos
Your real estate agent will schedule a photographer to take listing photos and video, likely planned for a nice day. High-quality media and marketing are crucial for attracting buyers online.

Prepare Marketing Materials
Your realtor will create compelling listing descriptions, social media posts, and print marketing materials that highlight your home’s unique features, that stand out from traditional real estate marketing.

Networking
You and your real estate agent will now spread the word about your home coming up for sale. You can get involved by mentioning it to neighbours, friends, and colleagues, while your agent will put it out to their expansive network. Early buzz can generate interest before your home even hits the market.

March | Launch Your Listing
March is the time to go live!

Strategy
Your real estate agent will help you price your home competitively based on market conditions and comparable sales in your area. Depending on your needs, your real estate agent will guide you with the strategy for listing.

Your First Open Houses
Spring is peak house-hunting season, so you will work together with your real estate agent to capitalize on buyer activity by hosting a series of open houses.

Stay Flexible
Prepare for buyer feedback, keep your home ready for showings at all times, and understand that showing schedules can be hard to navigate with pets and family members. Small tweaks, like adding fresh flowers or baking cookies before showings, and ensuring the home is cleaned right before a showing, can create a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Pro Tip: Stay Ahead of the Competition
Homes that sell fastest in spring are the ones that are well-maintained and move-in ready. By starting your preparations now, you can avoid the rush and position your home as one of the best on the market when spring arrives.

Though preparing your home for a spring sale will take time and effort, starting in November allows you to spread the workload and maximize your chances of your ideal success. By following this timeline, you’ll be ready to impress buyers and achieve your selling goals.

Need expert guidance? Contact me, Ashley Wilson, Real Estate Agent with Real Broker, to get personalized advice and start preparing your home for a successful spring sale.

I look forward to connecting with you soon!

Ashley Wilson
Real Estate Agent
hi@ashleywilson.ca
604.803.0334
Real Broker