MAXIMIZE YOUR HOME'S MARKET VALUE THIS SPRING

Conventional wisdom says that spring is the best time to list your home to get the highest sales price with the lowest number of days on market. After all, when the weather warms up buyers who have been hibernating all winter come out to enjoy the sights and seek-out greener pastures!  The facts back this up. According to research, two of the top 5 days of the year to close with seller’s earning a premium of 8-9% are May 29th and 31st. Homes sold at any time during May typically earn a seller premium of close to 6%, the highest of any month. As a seller, this means you need to start preparing your home now so you are ready to list in April to increase your chances of a sale during this golden hour.

Getting Your Home Ready to List

Getting your home ready to list can be stressful without expert advice. Hiring a Realtor who has a deep understanding of the local market and who offers a complimentary professional staging consultation can help ease your mind and ensure you get the greatest return on your investment in improvements and repairs. A top Realtor and Staging Consultant’s expertise pays off! According to a National Association of Realtors 2018 report,  49% of professionally staged homes received a higher offer than their unstaged neighbor - to the tune of 17% higher average sales price! Not only do staged homes sell for more money, they also sell faster! 95% of staged homes sell in 11 days or less - compared to 27 days on average.

After the staging consultation, your Realtor should provide you with a curb appeal report and a room by room checklist of suggestions to discuss. Key improvements generally include freshening up landscaping, decluttering living areas, and neutralizing decor. Once you’ve agreed upon the needed improvements that fit your budget, the Realtor’s listing coordinator can help coordinate contractors and schedule repairs for you to make the process easier and less stressful. 

1. Enhance Curb Appeal

First impressions count. A professionally landscaped yard gains significant price advantage over a poorly maintained yard - increasing home value around 11% on average. Landscape project costs can vary widely depending on the scope of work. Trim existing shrubs, remove weeds, add new mulch, and plant brightly colored annuals in areas that will catch the buyer’s eye. Freshening up the paint on your front door and pressure-washing hard surfaces like the driveway will instantly enhance your curb appeal!

2. Declutter Living Areas

Excessive clutter and personal belongings can make any home feel smaller than it is. Tidy up and put things you don’t need in storage boxes. If necessary, temporarily move your excess belongings to off-site storage. A smartly organized home will give buyers room to imagine their life in their new home without being distracted by your life.

3. Neutralize Paint and Decor

Bold artwork and paint colors may suit your tastes perfectly but your favorite bright orange sofa may by a buyer’s biggest turnoff distracting them from your home’s beauty! Paint brightly colored walls a neutral beige or grey. Substitute bold decor with neutral pieces that compliment your home’s architecture emphasizing the home more than the decor.

Are you ready to increase your home’s market value this spring?

Team Sterling offers expert complimentary staging consultations and done-for-you repair coordination services to all of our Red Carpet Listing clients. Contact us today to maximize your homes market value this spring!