27 Ways to Get Ready for the Spring Housing Market

Spring is almost upon us!  The first “official” day of spring is Thursday, March 20th.  Even though the Rochester NY winter weather has been a brutally cold one, there is light at the end of the tunnel!  The Rochester NY real estate market has already begun picking up but not quite yet into the full swing “spring market” yet.

27 Ways to Get Ready for the Spring Housing Market

If you’re thinking of selling your home in the Greater Rochester NY area during the “spring market”, don’t wait to get it ready to sell!  The “spring market” is very competitive as many home owners prefer to list their home for sale in the spring (April/May).  There are many things that you can be doing to get your home market ready and can be the difference between it selling or not.  Here are “27 Ways to Get Ready for the Spring Housing Market” to help you (sellers) set your home apart from other homes during the spring market!

EXTERIOR

• Change Your “Welcome Mat” – “First impressions are lasting impressions.”  Often one of the first things a prospective buyer will see when approaching your home is a welcome mat.  Change out your winter mat with a bright and welcoming mat!
• Clean Windows – Cleaning the windows isn’t a task that is desirable to most.  There are tools and materials that can be used to make the process easier.  Check out this great guide on “How to Clean Windows Like a Pro” from www.ThisHouseSold.com
• Trim Bushes and Shrubs – The appearance of overgrown bushes and shrubs isn’t one a potential buyer likes to see.  It can reflect neglect.
• Plant Bright Flowers – Make your home stand out from your competition!  Plant bright flowers on any side of your home that faces the street.  Marigolds are normally a good choice as they come in many colors and are fairly durable.  But remember, every flower/plant needs to be watered!
• Edge Grass and/or Gardens – Like cleaning windows, edging grass and gardens isn’t a desirable task.  This can be made easier by selecting the correct tools and utilizing the correct methods.  Check out this guide to “Perfect Edges for Your Beds and Borders” from www.FineGardening.com.  Having freshly edged grass and/or flower beds will give your home a nice “clean cut” appearance.
• Fresh Mulch – What better way to compliment the fresh flowers you have planted then using some fresh mulch to make your gardens “POP.”  Mulch is fairly inexpensive, even offered free sometimes.
• Power Wash/Paint Siding – The winter weather can reek havoc on the exterior of your home.  Whether power washing the exterior or painting it, make sure that prospective buyers doing a drive-by are “WOW’ed” by your home so they want to see the inside!
• Power Wash Driveway and Sidewalks – Power washing the driveway and sidewalks can reveal imperfections on them.  Once you wash them, if you notice any cracks, fill them with concrete fillers or silicon caulk.
• Reseal Driveway (if applicable) – There is no exact science on how often your driveway should be seal coated.  It can depend on what part of the country you live in.  Homeadvisor.com provides a nice thorough guide to Driveway Sealing.
• Clean and/or Repair Gutters – If you didn’t have time to clean the leaves from your gutters in the fall, now is the time!  This also will give you the opportunity to look for any damage that the winter may have caused to your gutters.
• Inspect Downspouts – Most home inspectors will note if there are missing downspouts and/or the downspouts are not running away from the foundation.  A flexible downspout can be purchased at your a local hardware store for $5.00 – $15.00.
• Inspect Roof for Missing or Loose Shingles – Problems with a roof can be a big deterrent to potential buyers.  Inspect the roof for missing or loose shingles and hopefully your roof is in great to good condition.  If you’re unsure on how to tell if you need a new roof, check out this great article by Bill Gassett via www.maxrealestateexposure.com for a complete guide!
• Examine the Exterior of the Chimney – Visually inspect the exterior of the chimney.  If it looks as if there are areas that could need repair (missing morter/cracked chimney), call a reputable chimney inspector.  Chimney and fireplace problems are one of the 10 most common home inspection findings, so stay ahead of the curve!
• Service Air Conditioning Unit – Call a reputable HVAC contractor and have your air conditioning unit inspected.  Most contractors and inspectors say it should be at least 60 degrees out to test the unit.

INTERIOR

• Clean Windows
• Dust Cobwebs – Dusting cobwebs takes very little time.  The last thing a prospective buyer wants to walk into is a bunch of cobwebs in the basement of your home.
• Clean Sliding Door Tracks – Have a “tough” sliding door?  Clean the tracks to make sure the door is opening and closing smoothly.  You don’t want buyers to “struggle” when opening a door to go onto that gorgeous deck you had built!
• Clean Light Bulbs – If you have still have the older “clear” light bulbs, clean them, it does make a difference.  You may also additionally change the older “clear” light bulbs out for the newer LED or CFL light bulbs.
• Re-caulk Tubs, Showers, and Sinks – A very inexpensive and quick repair is re-caulking.  It leaves a “crisp” and “clean” appearance.
• Re-grout Tile Floors – Remember when you had the gorgeous ceramic tile floors installed?  Never thought about the task of keeping the grout clean and wishing you did?  Fresh grout (especially if white) can make a floor look brand new!
• Remove Stains from Countertops – Prospective buyers will pickup on that coffee cup or wine glass stain on your counter.  Another great guide on “How to Remove Spots from Kitchen Countertops” from ThisOldHouse.com.
• Reorganize Bookshelves – This will cost you NO MONEY.  Get rid of those books you don’t read anymore and give your bookshelf a clean appearance.  Do not remove all your books but in this case less is more!
• Polish Chrome Faucets and Mirrors
• Steam Clean and/or Vacuum Rugs – Buyers are able to pickup on odors within a home.  This is paramount especially if you have animals!  You can either rent a steam cleaner or hire a company to do the work, it will be worth your money!
• Wash & Polish Floors – Clean and polished original hardwood floors if your home has them is critical.  There are many products, like Scott’s Liquid Gold, that will help your floors “sparkle” and also smell fresh!
• Dust Ceiling Fans and Light Fixtures – Ceiling fans and light fixtures, believe it or not, are important to some buyers.  They will look at them and also notice the cleanliness of them.
• Organize Closets – Like with reorganizing bookshelves, less is more!  Put your “winter clothes” into storage and/or donate clothes you aren’t planning on wearing.

The above “27 Ways to Get Ready for the Spring Housing Market” are can help gain an advantage during the competitive spring real estate market.  What recommendations would you make to anyone who is considering the sale of their home during the spring market?

If you’re considering a move into or out of Rochester, NY during the spring real estate market, contact us, we’d love to discuss your real estate needs!

About the authors:  The above information was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise.

We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY.

Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.