Spring has arrived! Warmer weather and clearer skies historically bring the busiest period of real estate activity each year. Homebuyers are often looking to lock in a property before prices rise, and home sellers are hoping to sell in spring in order to take advantage of housing market trends and be able to walk away with a measurable profit.

Additionally, people tend to buy for emotional reasons, and buying in the spring offers a feeling of renewal or a fresh start. This can be a very powerful motivator when selling a home and having buyers feel confident in their decisions. Here are a handful of tips for agents and sellers to harness the true beauty and potential of a property and make it stand out among the competition.

1. Time Your Sale

Planning the perfect time to list a property can make a big difference in interest and commitment levels from buyers. It is often recommended to pick a month where kids are in school and not on holiday or a major break. This gives buyers the time to explore their options and have a steady approach to home hunting, rather than rushing or being distracted with travel or other obligations.

According to HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell calculator, homes listed in April sell six days sooner on average. Summers get busy for families and then the back-to-school grind subsequently follows in the early fall. We recommend harnessing the steady pace of spring to attract buyers and help them to feel confident throughout the process.

Debbie’s project in Cupertino, CA

2. Do Your Own Inspection

Getting a pre-listing inspection and completing a disclosure statement before selling lets you identify any issues before the buyer’s inspection. This can give buyers peace of mind that their new home won’t have too many surprises and repairs to make once they own it. Additionally, the more well-maintained a property is, the easier it is to justify a higher asking price. Some of the most common pre-inspection repairs to be on the lookout for include:

• Plumbing
• Electrical
• HVAC
• Damp baseboards or crawlspaces
• Non-functioning chimneys
• Presence of mold and mildews
• Broken or missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Structural or foundation issues

3. Upgrade the Exterior

As the spring months bring about warmer temperatures and more opportunities to be outside, it is important to sell buyers on the outdoor entertainment features of a home. Many buyers judge a book by its cover and are looking to see if the exterior will suit their needs and is visually appealing. The two key areas that we recommend fixing up are the yards and the porch or patio areas. Winter can leave yards looking dirty, so trimming shrubs, weeding flower beds, and removing dead leaves can clear the clutter and make room for new growth. Additionally, including potted plants or staging a patio set can help buyers envision how they can enjoy the yard or host gatherings.

Melissa’s project in Mill Valley, CA

4. Brighten Up Four Key Rooms

Four of the most important aspects of a home’s interior include the main entry, living room, bathroom, and kitchen. These are the four places that are either used the most or make the strongest impressions about a home’s overall comfort and value. Thoroughly cleaning, dusting, and staging these rooms is crucial. Additionally, we recommend adding pops of spring colors and consider improving or removing dated window treatments in order to brighten each room and let natural light in.

Overall, spring can be a perfect time to capture buyers’ attention and make them feel comfortable and confident in their decision to invest in your property! Giving thoughtful attention to when you choose to list, how available open houses will be, and what kind of maintenance is done beforehand can make all the difference when it comes to profiting on a home sale. Spring is convenient for families who are looking to move to take time with the process, and can offer an emotional sense of new beginnings and eagerness to make a change before lives get busy in the summer months. We recommend harnessing the power of all of these variables and making a bright impression when selling this spring!