Home and Garden

Spring is here, and while many experts say summer is the peak of the home-selling season, there are several advantages that come with spring sales. Demand from eager buyers has increased steadily throughout the winter, ensuring a smooth and swift sales process if you play your cards right. Whether you're selling a mobile home, a PMC (Permanent Modular Construction) home, which is 60% to 90% completed in a factory-controlled environment and transported and assembled at the final building site, or a traditionally constructed home, you'd be surprised just how big of a role the spring season can play in your real estate sales success -- especially in our current seller's market! Here are just a few ways to make the most of the peak home buying season and sell your home during the spring. Consider Quick Upgrades If you have the budget for it, consider investing in quick upgrades that, if planned properly, can moderately impact the value of your home. Any renovation that's considered eco-friendly or otherwise sustainable is a huge seller with many of today's millennial buyers. Not only do these projects align with common millennial values, but many of them can translate to utility savings as well. For example, you could save up to 40% on your utility bill just by tinting your windows. Think about where your home could use improvements when it comes to energy usage, and complete one or two small projects before putting your home up for sale. Of course, if your home has existing issues or your fear that it's been inadequately maintained, it's best to consult a professional home inspector and take care of any issues that could affect your chance of a quick and efficient sale. Landscape Properly Don't be mistaken; landscaping is undoubtedly an important aspect of curb appeal year round, but during the spring, flowers and other seasonal decor can go a long way in boosting a potential buyer's mood and overall impression of the house. About 69% of Americans say the sight and smell of flowers can improve their mood, so depending on where they'll be placed, select some seasonal flowers that match your home's exterior color or interior decor. There are countless quick and easy ways to improve springtime curb appeal. Planting garden beds can be a frugal way to make a big impact. "First impressions matter and this is a first date you don't want to end up paying for. Clean up the landscaping and freshen up the flowers. Take down your tacky tidbits and decorative flags, and consider some color updates. One new coat on the garage can make a difference," writes Diana Olick on CNBC. De-Clutter And Downsize Finally, if you feel as though your home is rather cluttered (or even if you don't), it's often best to take the 'less is more' approach and remove as many unnecessary belongings from your home as you can in order to maximize potential buyers' size perception. It's okay to leave some basic furniture and decor, but entertainment-related items and electronics, especially those that take up a lot of space, like televisions, are often better to relocate prior to any showings. The average American now spends about half a day staring at screens, and most of the time, televisions and computers don't add anything but clutter to your home's decor scheme and overall space. When it comes down to it, selling your home during the spring is all about using both traditional and creative strategies and maximizing your home's visual and aesthetic appeal by incorporating seasonal elements. Don't hesitate to think outside the box when it comes to developing a sales strategy that has spring buyers in mind!