Spring is one of the busiest times of the year for real estate. If you’re looking to sell your home fast and for top dollar, it’s important to get it market-ready well before listing it. Even small DIY projects can go a long way in making your home attractive to buyers. Here are my top tips for getting your home in prime selling shape this spring:
Boost Curb Appeal
You only get one chance at a first impression, so maximize your home’s curb appeal. This is an easy DIY area to tackle:
- Power wash siding, walkways, and driveway to remove grime
- Plant colorful flowers, lay fresh mulch, and trim bushes
- Touch up exterior paint on trim, doors, shutters etc.
- Clean out gutters and wash windows inside and out
- Buy a new welcome mat
Light and Bright Interiors
No one wants to buy a dark, dreary home. Open up interiors and maximize natural light with these DIY projects:
- Remove heavy window coverings and replace with simple sheers
- Replace older bulbs with energy efficient daylight LEDs
- Patch holes, then paint interior walls a fresh neutral color
- Clean thoroughly, getting rid of clutter and letting spaces breathe
- Rearrange furniture to improve flow and highlight focal points
Freshen Up Living Areas
Living rooms, family rooms, and kitchens sell homes. Liven them up with cost-effective DIY updates:
- Deep clean carpets and hardwood floors, refinishing if needed
- Recaulk dated bathrooms, adding a fresh coat of paint
- Update cabinet hardware in kitchens and baths
- Add a fresh coat of paint or faux stainless covers to appliances
- Replace old light fixtures with modern styles
Don’t Neglect Smaller Spaces
Even secondary spaces like bedrooms, closets, and laundry rooms should look appealing:
- Organize linen closets and pantries, adding storage bins
- Declutter clothes closets, showcasing their space
- Clean and brighten laundry rooms with a new coat of paint
- Give kid bedrooms a playful coat of fresh paint
- Wash pillows, bedding, and replace worn shower curtains
Focus on Outdoor Living
Maximize your home’s outdoor spaces for appealing bonus living areas:
- Power wash patio, deck, and paved areas
- Stage an outdoor living area with cleaned patio furniture
- Clean and inspect grill, firepit, play areas
- Hang exterior lighting to show off grounds at night
- Plant potted flowers or hang baskets for pops of color
Don’t Overlook Maintenance
Preventative maintenance shows pride of ownership and helps inspections go smoothly:
- Clear debris from gutters, downspouts, window wells
- Replace furnace/AC filters
- Replace worn caulking, address leaks/water issues
- Check for loose deck boards, railings, stairs
- Test all alarms, garage doors, sprinkler systems
Hiring a Professional
For bigger updates like kitchen and bathroom remodels, exterior painting, or new flooring, hiring a professional contractor could pay dividends at resale. But for cosmetic DIY updates, even smaller projects can seriously move the needle for prospective buyers.
Spring is a highly motivated selling season, so give your home an updated, polished look that will grab buyers’ attention and get you top dollar offers quickly. A little prep work and elbow grease go a long way!
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