7 Tips to Get Your Tri-Cities Home Ready to Sell This Spring

It might feel like winter is never going to end, but spring will be here before you know it.

If you're planning to list your Tri-Cities home for sale on the spring real estate market, now is the time to prepare. Getting your home ready now will minimize your stress later and allow you to get a jump on your listing before other spring home sales come on the market.

Not sure where to start? No problem! Our REALTORS® are here to share their list of the top seven things you can do now to help make your house stand out this spring.

1. Create a "To Do" List
   Take a careful look at each room in your home and create a list of small improvements you can do yourself. Keep an eye out for things like missing trim, chipped paint, broken light fixtures, smudges on the floor, and carpet stains.
   
   Once you've completed your list, get started! Taking on small projects in your free time is far better than trying to tackle them all at once right before your listing. 

2. Declutter Your Home
   If your house is a mess when prospective buyers some to check it out, it might cause you to miss out on a sale. While you're cooped up inside, use it as an opportunity to thin out your belongings.
   
   It's important that prospective buyers can visualize themselves living in the home, so go ahead and pack up things like framed photos and personal items, and put excess furniture in storage.

3. Brighten Up the Interior
   Assess your home honestly to determine if you can make some changes to brighten it up. Is the paint too dark? Does the wallpaper need to be replaced? Are the drapes heavy and outdated?
   
   Consider adding fresh coats of light, neutral-colored paint, replacing dirty carpets, polishing wood floors, and swapping out your furniture for lighter, more modern pieces.

4. Do Your Basic Maintenance
   Now is a great time to take care of any maintenance projects you may have been putting off. This includes tasks like changing out your air filters, maintaining your septic tank, fixing leaky faucets, flushing out your water heater, and oiling your garage door hinges.  

5. Assess Your Kitchen
   The kitchen is one of the most important considerations for potential home buyers, and upgrades typically take time. This means that right now is the best time to do an assessment and decide if you need to make any changes.
   
   Painting cabinet doors and replacing countertops are some minor upgrades that can make a big difference. If you're not sure whether an upgrade is worth the investment, consult with a realtor who can give you honest feedback. 

6. Plan Your Spring Landscaping Projects
   As soon as the snow melts, you'll want to jump on your outdoor projects. Start by raking up fallen leaves and branches, then trim and prune your trees and bushes.
   
   Aerate your lawn, so it grows in full and lush.  Add seed to any bare spots. Buy some plants and fertilize them, so they look full and healthy when prospective buyers arrive.

7. Find a Great Real Estate Agent
   If you wait until the springtime to start looking for a real estate agent, both you and your agent will feel rushed to make important decisions. Starting now will give you a chance to conduct interviews and make sure you find an agent with whom you're comfortable working.

Many buyers planning to move in the spring start viewing homes early in the spring. Our REALTORS® can help you put your home at the forefront of Central Virginia's real estate market. Contact our Tri-Cities office to make it happen.