How to Prepare for Spring Selling Season

Spring is believed to be the busiest season of the year in the real estate market. For sellers, listing in the spring provides an opportunity to take advantage of the notable increase in buyer demand. As for buyers, there's much more inventory to select from in the spring. Here are a few tips on preparing for the spring selling season.

How to Prepare as a Buyer
Once the spring season rolls around, you'll discover that there are more homes to choose from, which increases your chances of finding your dream home. However, the competition among other buyers will also be stronger, which is why preparation is necessary.

First things first, find out how much you can afford and get pre-approved. Your lender can run the numbers and help you determine what you can afford. Don’t have a lender? Ask your real estate agent for a referral. Having a pre-approval letter ready when you start looking for homes means you are prepared to make an offer when you find the right home.

Next up, figure out your requirements. Before the spring season arrives, research local neighborhoods, schools, and amenities to determine your areas of interest. Then make your wish list. Start browsing homes online, and pay attention to the details, so you can list all the features you do and don’t like. By narrowing your search early on, you'll have a better idea of what you’re looking for, and you can avoid wasting time and energy visiting properties that don’t meet your needs.

How to Prepare as a Seller
If you've decided to sell your home, your main goal when preparing for the spring season is to get everything ready for the listing and home-selling process.

First up, price it right. You should work with a realtor to discuss your selling timeline and determine the right price for your home so that your home doesn’t sit on the market too long or sell for too little.

You should also have your home professionally photographed to attract more buyers to the listing. Make sure it’s clean and tidy before those photos are taken. Nothing is more unappealing to buyers than a cluttered and messy property. Cleaning and decluttering your home now will prepare you for showings later. Minimizing the number of photos, toys, and other personal items in your home also makes it easier for buyers to envision themselves living there.

Consider cleaning the exterior as well. Your home's exterior is the main source of its curb appeal. You can boost your home's curb appeal by planting flowers, trimming shrubs, and removing leaves and debris.

How to Prepare if You're on the Fence
If you're on the fence about buying or selling a home, you should conduct ample research before the spring selling season arrives. Even though spring is a busy season, it's not the only time of the year when you can buy or sell a home. Consider your financial situation and think more about what you want in the near future. Reach out and discuss what makes the most sense for your situation.

Once the temperatures warm up and the scenery becomes more picturesque, the real estate market also begins to heat up. Whether you want to buy/sell or are currently on the fence, preparing for the selling season now should help you avoid feeling rushed when it gets here.