Koffee with Kelly – Tips for Sellers. Are you ready to sell your house this spring? Here are five things that you need to focus on.

Are you ready to sell your house this spring? Here are five things that you need to focus on.

1 is Outdoor Curb appeal: You must clean up that yard from the winter and make the outside sparkle. Without solid curb appeal, someone may drive by and decide not to come inside. There are very simple things to take care of right now, including raking leaves and debris. Maintaining a well-manicured lawn, trimming hedges and bushes, and planting colorful flowers and plants can significantly improve. Power washing your driveway, walkway, and exterior walls can help remove dirt and grime, giving your home a clean and fresh look. Check your exterior paint, including the garage door, front door, and windows, and consider adding a fresh coat to spruce up your home.

Here is a video showing a nursery that can help. (note we shot this video in the fall, but the sprucing process for spring is similar ? )

2, you need to declutter. Get rid of all of that stuff. It’ll make your house look larger, and people will focus on the house instead of looking at all of your things. Decluttering can be overwhelming, so taking it one step at a time is essential. Focus on one area or category of items at a time, and don’t try to do everything simultaneously. Start by sorting your belongings into categories: keep, donate, sell, or throw away. This can help you stay organized and decide what to do with each item. Remember, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” ? If you want help, some terrific small businesses are available… if you live in Northern Virginia. Check out these videos below: It’s Haul Good – A junk removal and donation service.

Simplify, Home Organizing – A declutter and re-organize service.

3 you need to focus on the big ticket items: paint and carpet. Once you have decluttered and gotten rid of all your “junk” (today’s junk started as yesterday’s treasured items), you can assess the state of your carpet and paint. If you make updates, choose neutral colors, and keep the color scheme consistent. Consider hiring professionals to ensure the best results; a poor paint job or loose carpet will show poorly. The same idea applies to choosing high-quality materials; if the updates look cheap, it could worsen the look of your home. Finally, finish all these jobs before listing the home; unfinished projects may raise doubts with buyers about the quality of your home. All these details will make an appreciable improvement in the appearance of your home, ensuring you can maximize the value of your home and appeal to potential buyers. For additional ideas, watch this video on “The five biggest (home improvement) bangs for your buck.”

4, clean. Clean your home. A clean house is universally appealing to everybody, and a dirty house turns people away. Give your home a deep clean, including scrubbing floors and walls, dusting, and cleaning windows. Make sure all appliances and fixtures are spotless. Often times it is worthwhile to hire a professional cleaning service to make your home sparkle! And

#5, reach out to me. I can help you develop an individual plan for preparing your house for sale in the spring. Now is a great time to sell your home. There is not enough inventory, and high-quality homes will do very well. Reach out to me, Kelly Ettrich