Simple and Effective Improvements You Can Make To Your Home Now So You’re Ready To Sell in the Spring

People often ask me when's the best time of year to sell. If you’re not quite ready to list your home by the Super Bowl (that’s this Sunday), then springtime is the next ideal time—it's green, it's pretty, and most buyers are out there looking. Here are five home improvement tips that you can work on now to get a jumpstart on listing your home this spring:

Tip 1: Paint Your Walls & Trim
If you have dated colors in your house, I definitely recommend at least painting the main rooms a nice neutral color. Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore is a great neutral paint that a lot of my clients use. If you have dark trim throughout your house I recommend painting it white. Buyers love to see white trim throughout the house and it's one less thing they have to worry about when they move in.

Tip 2: Update Your Kitchen
A lot of buyers are willing to look past dated bathrooms but won’t look past a dated kitchen. The kitchen is the most important room in the house. If the rest of your home is dated, giving your kitchen a facelift will really go a long way.

If your kitchen cabinets are dated or worn, I recommend painting them white or a neutral color and switching out your cabinet hardware to something more modern. If you can't afford to replace the cabinets, buyers love light and clean kitchens these days. If you have old appliances, I recommend investing in all new stainless steel appliances that match. They don’t have to be the top-of-the-line brand, it's just to show buyers that they don't have to worry about replacing the appliances once they move in. Replacing your existing countertops and/or backsplash with a natural or cultured stone that compliments your kitchen goes a long way too.

Tip 3: Enhance Your Curb Appeal
The first thing buyers look at when they pull up to your house is your garage door. If you've got an old dented garage door, I recommend replacing it. The same is true for the front door. If your front door is worn, either replace or paint it so that buyers have a nice, fresh-looking door when they arrive at your home. Realtors can spend a lot of time opening up that lockbox, so buyers spend that time at your front door and if it's old and worn it gives a bad first impression.

I know it’s cold out there, but when it does warm up I also recommend washing your windows and power washing the exterior. Tidy up your landscaping by raking the leaves, edge your lawn, and trim down your garden and bushes. Get a head start on your curb appeal because it'll go a long way when you're ready to list in the spring.

Tip 4: Improve Your Energy Efficiency
If you've got old windows that are really drafty, either replace them or seal them with weather stripping or caulk. Also, make sure you have enough insulation in your attic. A home inspector will look at both of these things, so you might as well get a head start before it comes up in the home inspection report. I also recommend changing your light bulbs to LED and even installing a programmable thermostat, like Nest. It not only looks good for potential buyers, but it also helps you save on your energy bills by 10-12 percent.

Tip 5: Declutter & Stage Your Space
Start putting away the stuff you’re not using—personal photos, items you have sitting on your shelves (I recommend only 1-2 items per shelf). You want buyers to see how much space your home offers and allow them to imagine themselves living in your home. I’m a Certified Staging Consultant (CSC), so I’m uniquely positioned to advise on what to add, put away, or rearrange to make your home more appealing to buyers.

For more tips and trends, check out my blog on Home Design Trends To Look Out for in 2021.

If you’re considering selling your home this spring, contact me at  jnewsom@bhhschicago.com or (773) 580-5840 to set up a free consultation. I’d love to help you get your home ready to list in the most effective and efficient ways possible.