Optimize Your Home’s Appeal: Spring Edition
After months of darkness and cold, springtime in the Pacific Northwest is a welcomed event. The longer days, milder temperatures and occasional blue skies mark the gradual transition from cozy indoor living to enjoying the outdoors again. The delicate pink of the Cherry Blossoms against still dormant trees reminds us that soon there will be backyard barbecues and summer break. You can almost hear the collective sigh of relief (and gasps from parents) when spring returns.
Flowers aren't the only thing popping up in springtime. For sale signs and open houses also shake up a likely sleepy real estate market. Spring is prime real estate time. Even in tight markets, inventories (and buyers) tend to spike in the spring and summer months. With this in mind, we advise clients considering a move to use the early spring months to tackle the projects that will make your home stand-out.
But what moves the dial and what’s not really worth the time (and money)? You know we’re not the types to leave you to figure this out on your own. Let our slightly opinionated (backed by years of experience) and simple (no one needs complicated) guide help you create the most appealing home on the block.
Lighten and Brighten, Lighten and Brighten!
Real estate agents love a light, bright and neutral palette. No other profession can list six different shades of white paint in under 60 seconds—aside from interior designers, of course. And there’s a reason for it: Buyers love neutral palettes. The yellow walls in your kitchen that remind you of your beloved grandma do not hold the same appeal for prospective buyers. A fresh coat of a neutral colored paint instantly updates any home and gives it a fresh feeling buyers notice. It can also create cohesion in challenged layouts, make rooms feel more spacious and amplify natural light—a huge bonus in the light-challenged Pacific Northwest. Refreshing exteriors with current color ways create a favorable impression before buyers set foot inside and give a home curb appeal.
Maybe you’re the type that has window washing on their regular to-do list—and for that, we applaud you—but if not, prepare to be astonished. Professionally cleaned windows and screens seem small—until you see the difference. Rooms feel cleaner, dated windows feel less, well, dated and the “lighten and brighten” factor is instant. Swapping out torn screens and sliding screen doors that no longer glide with ease make a home feel well cared for.
You know it’s coming…declutter! We will say it again, declutter! Nothing makes your home feel like it could be someone else’s home like decluttering. From depersonalizing spaces by removing family photos and mementos to scaling down furniture, decluttering is essential. Not only will scaling down make it easier to stage your home (and yes, you should absolutely stage your home) it will make your upcoming move that much easier. If your journey with the chair in the den ends here, arrange for it to be
sold or donated. We can help you find local organizations that can benefit from household items you no longer use or want.
Clear countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms are a must but so are common area surfaces like coffee tables and consoles. Book shelves should be edited and lightened —not heaving with every book you own.
Now is also a great time to edit your clothes closet. Storing winter items you no longer need will create spaciousness in closets—something buyers love. Ample closet space is almost always on a buyer’s “must have” list. No matter how big your closet actually is if it looks like it is having trouble containing your things, it seems small. Investing in attractive baskets or bins to corral toys and shoes have an almost magical impact—you’ll wish you had done it sooner. Donating, selling or tossing things that you or family members have out grown will save you time packing (and unpacking). Anyone who has moved frequently will tell you there is nothing worse than opening a box filled with things you no longer want or need.
Repair and Replace—the Small Stuff
Small changes add up and can have a real impact on your bottomline. One of our specialties at Cerruti Real Estate is identifying those easy, affordable updates that put more money in your pocket at closing. Our deep network of skilled vendors allows us to take on projects knowing they will be done correctly, on time and on budget. Even better, our in-house team can do much of the work ourselves.
That said, there are plenty of ways that homeowners can make their homes shine that don’t require a handyman or contractor:
Replace non-functioning or mismatched light bulbs (make sure rooms with multiple lights are all in the same color category);
Wall plates should be free from cracks or missing screws;
Steam clean carpets;
Address pet odors;
Power wash the driveway, sidewalks, patios and decks;
Replace anything broken, cracked, chipped, stained or torn;
Tile grout and caulking around sinks, showers and bath tubs should be replaced if stained; and
Schedule a deep, professional clean.
Lastly, don’t overlook your yard. The exterior sets the tone and winters wreak havoc on the most loved landscaping. Remove leaves, branches, dead or sickly plants and prune trees and shrubs. Make sure lawns are mowed and edged—a professional landscape crew can work wonders.
Brighten yards with early blooming flowers and shrubs. Adding fresh mulch to flower beds not only smells good, it adds visual interest and makes a home feel cared for. The
human eye is attracted to symmetry. Potting fresh flowers in stylish pots to flank the front door is a great way to welcome buyers.
Major repairs and renovations should be done in consultation with your real estate agent.
Before you swing that hammer or take out that wall, let’s sit down together. We can run a market value analysis to see what work your particular home would benefit from given its age, location and overall condition. Investing in a home you are selling is often part of maximizing your profit but it’s an art and a science. Let us show you.
Every home is different. And while we feel confident that the advice in this guide is applicable to any home, there’s nothing like a one on one consult to turn great advice into clear direction, designed to make your home the home buyers are talking about. If you have questions or are a little bit curious about how your home measures up, let’s talk. Taking homes from “good” to “memorable” to “sold!” as simply and seamlessly as possible is our promise.
