When our thoughts start to turn towards the spring housing market, we often imagine a huge influx of buyers hitting the pavement and looking at house after house after house. But for all of those houses, there’s at least one seller, and these sellers often need some tips too! Here are some ways that you can get a quicker and easier sale in the springtime.
Asking the right price
Buyers today are not the same buyers that were out looking at homes a year ago. Many of them have been waiting for prices to go down for a long, long time; and frankly, they’re growing weary of sellers who are still asking prices that are far too high. You must be realistic with your price and only ask for what the home is worth. The best way to do that is to hire an appraiser that will give it to you straight.
Making it look nice
We know, it sounds obvious, right? If you want to sell your home, or anything else for that matter, you need to make it look as appealing to the customer as possible. That’s true for your home, but it’s also especially important in the spring. Remember that the lawn is the first thing potential buyers are going to see, and if your lawn is like most in Canada’s right now, it’s a mess. (Best case scenario, it’s covered in several feet of snow.) Clean up all the debris, leaves, and anything that doesn’t help your lawn look “just so.” Also make sure you have proper snow and slop trays at the entrance, so that wet boots and cover-ups also don’t make a mess of your home.
Spring staging
In winter it makes perfect sense to bake a batch of oatmeal and raisin cookies just before prospective buyers come over; and to serve it with steaming mugs of hot chocolate. But it’s spring! And just about everybody is sick and tired of all the coziness (to make up for the dreariness) of winter. Replace these with winter staging items with things like cucumber sandwiches and yummy lemon puffs; and put some fresh spring flowers out.
Yes, this time of year there does seem to be a lot of talk surrounding home buyers. But as a seller, that’s just more good news for you, because they’re about to come through your door any time. Make sure you follow these tips, and that you’re prepared when they do!
