Here are a few tips to get your home market-ready for the spring surge and help you achieve the maximum price for your property. 

Why market in spring?

As property professionals will tell you, spring is famously a very busy time for buying and selling. It’s when families begin to plan for the school year ahead and often when people make the decision to move after having considered their options in the new year. After the shortage of properties over winter, buyers have a larger range of available options to choose from, making it a great time for sellers. And while it may mean more competition for sellers, it also means that when you’re ready to find your next home, there are properties on the market to make the process easier. 

Declutter the entire property

People want a home that’s clean, tidy and ready for them to move into, but decluttering doesn’t have to mean stripping away all elements of character and personality. It’s more about staying organised, being purposeful with the items in your home and allowing the property itself to shine rather than filling every room to the brim. Clear away items from the worktops and store them in cupboards instead, make sure clothes are packed away and consider removing some of the ornaments and picture frames around the home to open up surfaces. 

Fix any damages or deterrents 

Few people want to take on a project when buying a home, so reduce the risk of a potential buyer seeing things that need fixing by taking on some DIY jobs before you have the property valued. Not only will it make your home more appealing to buyers but it could even help secure you a higher valuation, depending on what needs doing. Fix cracks in the wall or loose cupboards and doors, make sure fencing and gates are in good repair and go through the property with a fine-tooth comb to find any issues that can be resolved ahead of viewings.

It is also wise to sort out any unfinished business, niggles or disputes with neighbours which might deter an interested buyer. For instance, a short lease on a flat or maisonette can be off-putting for potential investors. If you extend the lease legally before you plan to sell, you will have more success marketing your property and reaching the full asking price. 

Decorate with neutrals

Similarly to decluttering, redecorating your home in neutral tones can help to brighten up the space and give a potential buyer a blank canvas to work from which can make your property a more appealing option over a home where they’ll need to do the work themselves. From creams and beiges to light greys and off-whites, think about how you can create a space where a buyer can visualise their own items in the property more easily. 

Prioritise space through dedicated zones

Consider the layout and flow of your home and repurpose unused space, such as making an empty spare room a dedicated guest room or utilising disused areas as storage zones. It can help to reduce clutter and create a more cohesive layout for a buyer, showcasing just how much available space your property has while also inspiring them with the possibilities for different layouts. 

Enhance with plants

Plants serve double duty, as they not only freshen up the air of your home and help to omit odours but they can also add life and colour to the property to make it more visually appealing. From greenery to vases of fresh flowers, plants can really help lift an otherwise drab room and bring it to life while adding a fresh scent for viewings. Couple this with opening up the windows to let fresh air circulate and create a bright, airy space. 

Don’t neglect the exterior

If you’re lucky enough to have your own outdoor space with your property, whether a garden, a patio or even a balcony, don’t neglect them when preparing to put your home on the market as they play a vital role in the overall look and feel of your home. Sweep any pathways, mow the lawn and rid the beds of weeds to get the area looking clean and tidy. You may also want to enhance the area further with garden furniture, planters or new flowers to add colour and interest. 

Consider home staging

Property staging is a great investment for making your home look its best, as it helps a buyer imagine themselves living in your home. Presenting your home in a certain way could help to speed up the selling process and even help secure a higher price in some cases. Maybe it’s switching out the lighting, replacing furniture with something more neutral or adding mirrors to create the illusion of bigger rooms. You may want to stage your home yourself or you can pay for specialist companies to do it for you for a fee. If you’re serious about selling and need a quick sale, it could be a good investment. 

Only renovate to increase value

Moving is an expensive task, so when you’re selling up, you don’t want to waste money unnecessarily. Unless a renovation will add significant value to your home and increase your profits, it’s not worth spending the money or dealing with the hassle of a big project. If you’re unsure, it’s worth getting a professional opinion from your estate agent to see whether they believe your intended project will add value.

Gather documents

If you’re lucky, your home will sell quickly so to speed up the process even more, gather any necessary documents you’ll need such as evidence of permissions for any building work you’ve had done to the house, the latest utility bills, receipts for new installations such as boilers, and so on. You then have these to hand if potential buyers request them or if you need to supply them to your mortgage broker or conveyancer.

Selling a home can be stressful, but with a bit of prior planning and forward-thinking, you can make it a simpler and hopefully quicker process. 

About the author:  Annie Button is a professional content writer and branding aficionado.