It has been a long wait for Ontarions this year but it seems spring is finally here. April showers are a month late but lawns are beginning to green. Bulbs that got covered in snow when they initially popped up are now confidently bursting into bloom. If you are selling your house this spring be sure to take full advantage of the season in marketing your home.
You’ve probably realized that making your home marketable is a whole different matter than making it comfortable for your lifestyle.
We decorate to express our personal style and surround ourselves with photos of loved ones and items that make us feel good. But when we are trying to appeal to a variety of potential buyers we want them to see the bones of the house, not our personal style. We want prospective buyers to picture their furniture in each room. We want buyers to picture themselves having Sunday dinners around their table and opening presents around their Christmas tree, in this house.
We want to give them a neutral backdrop for their vision while still making it feel like an interesting and desirable home.
Has all the clutter been cleared away? Collections put into storage? Winter coats, boots, boot trays, mitts, shovels, bags of salt and snow tires been stored out of sight? Time to clean the screens and make sure the windows are sparkling. Consider removing heavy, dark drapes for something with a more summery feel. Cushions and throws in fall and winter colours to add warmth and coziness can be stored in favour of lighter and brighter ones.
Replace the bulky duvets and flannel sheets with summer-weight cottons. Consider changing up your artwork and accessories to co-ordinate with your spring coloured cushions. Bring the outdoors in with bouquets of spring flowers and pots of herbs.
Prepare the exterior of your property too. Remove broken branches, clean up the gardens and lawns. Power washing the siding will remove winter dirt. Add a pot of colourful pansies to the front entrance. Pansies can endure the uncertainty of spring’s cool nights. Perhaps a new mat at the front door too.
If the mailbox is rusty and worn now is the time to replace it. Begin to plan how you will add annuals to your gardens as the temperatures allow. It’s time to touch up exterior painted areas too. Bring out the garden and deck furniture. Creating outdoor living spaces helps potential buyers envision themselves living and entertaining on this property. Outdoor lighting is important. Adding a flood light to highlight a tree or a flower garden adds interest even for buyers driving past. Well lit walkways and driveways are well worth the effort.
If your budget allows, consider asking your realtor to recommend a home stager to ready the interior and a landscaper to keep up with spring and summer outdoors. Happy selling!
Bonnie Mullen has been selling properties in Guelph-Wellington with Re/Max since 1992.
