Temperatures outside might be chilly, causing you to reach for those extra layers before leaving your warm, cozy house. There may even still be snow on the ground. If your morning routine involves scraping ice off your windshield, it can be hard to imagine that spring is at hand.
However, if you’re planning to sell your house, the time to prepare for the spring market is now. Since we’re quickly approaching what is traditionally the busiest season, it makes sense to get a head start. By preparing now, you can ensure your house stands out and attracts attention from the highest number of potential buyers.
The Benefits of Selling a House in the Spring
While an argument can be made for selling your home any time of year, there’s no denying the benefits of listing in the spring. The reasons aren’t just all market related, either. It’s true that more people are searching now than in any other season.
However, think of the logistics of your move. You won’t have to worry about an unexpected snowstorm or carrying your belongings in and out of the house through sheets of ice and slush.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, you won’t end up loading and unloading boxes in the sweltering heat. Selling now gives you the highest chance of both a successful transaction and a pleasant, stress-free moving experience.
Maintaining your home means less work when you decide to sell! The posts below can help:
- Toronto Homeowners: Here’s How to Thrive This Winter
- The Art of the Spring Home Makeover
- 5 Tips for Redesigning Your Home Decor
Prepare Now, Smile Later
Your listing may not go live for another month or two, but getting your home show ready will take time. If the cold weather makes you want to stay inside anyway, you might as well start your spring cleaning early.
Getting it out of the way now means you can relax later. It might be hard to believe, but beautiful weather will soon be here, and that’s when you’ll want to be outside rather than facing a long to-do list to prepare your house. There will be less last-minute pressure the day before your listing hits the market.
Decluttering and getting rid of every distraction is one of the first and most critical steps before selling your home. Luckily we have an entire resource dedicated to the subject. Learn more in A Simple Guide to Decluttering Your Home.
Your Pre-Spring Market Cleaning Checklist
Once decluttering is out of the way, you have a clean canvas to work from. Now, you can move your attention to areas that often get forgotten. In your everyday life, they may not matter as much. However, buyers notice everything, so a deep clean is in order, especially in the main rooms of your house.
The task can feel daunting, but focusing on one room at a time can keep you on track. The checklist below will also help:
In the kitchen:
- Clean all small appliances like the toaster, air fryer, and coffee maker. Be sure to tilt them up to wipe down the bases, as well.
- Dust off the tops of cabinets, not just the countertop.
- Run the dishwasher empty through a deep clean cycle to remove any odours.
- Perform a deep clean in the inside of the oven and on the outer ventilation hood.
- Disinfect the light switches and drawer pulls. You’ll be surprised how much grime can build up here!
In the bathrooms:
- Vacuum or wash the exhaust fan cover.
- Deep clean behind the toilet, especially near the floor bolts where dirt and hair accumulate.
- Wash the shower curtain and clean or replace the shower rod and rings.
- Wipe down the top of the cabinet. The dust really builds up here.
In the bedrooms:
- Vacuum any upholstered headboards and other furniture.
- Sweep under the bed to get rid of any dust bunnies.
- Wash the curtains and valances and dust the rods.
- Wipe down the inside of the closets, including the walls and baseboards.
In the living room:
- Clean all of the upholstery and furniture.
- Professionally clean the carpets or rent a carpet cleaner.
- Wipe down the tops of mirrors, pictures, and their frames.
- Clean off any lampshades.
- Wipe down the light bulbs. This may seem over-the-top, but crisp lighting really enhances the photographs of your house.
Do you want even more tips to sell your Toronto home quickly and successfully? Keep reading the posts below:
- How Long Will It Take to Sell Your Home
- Is Staging Your House to Sell Still a Good Idea?
- Selling for Top Dollar in Toronto as the Market Shifts
Decide on Any Value Add or Critical Repairs
Once your house is sparkling clean and thoroughly decluttered, you’re well on your way. You might be able to put up the “For Sale” sign already and attract serious interest from potential buyers.
However, we are not quite ready to make the maximum impact just yet. First, you’ll want to take a look around and decide on any repairs before buyers come to visit.
Repairs and renovations can be time-consuming, so this is one more reason to get ahead of the spring market. Keep in mind that not every prohect is going to add a significant amount to your return on investment. Some are just about maintenance to align with buyer expectations. For example, a buyer might not be willing to pay more because the furnace has been repaired. They just want (and expect) the house to be comfortable!
Critical repairs include any damage to the roof, plumbing leaks, or grading issues. In addition, you’ll want to fix anything that could be considered unsafe, like faulty wiring or mould.
Other minor updates can add substantial value to your selling price. Decor trends change over time, so it’s always best to consult with a local real estate agent who is in the know before investing in anything major. That said, you can almost never go wrong with a fresh coat of paint and some sleek, new lighting fixtures.
As you leisurely begin all of these tasks of cleaning and updating your home, you’ll thank yourself that you gave yourself so much time. When spring arrives, your house will be meticulous and stunning, and buyers are sure to fall in love at first sight!
Do you have questions about how to sell your house in this market? Reach out to us at erica@ericareddy.com or call 416.443.0300, and we are happy to help!
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