Before you decide to list your property for this spring market, please consider taking a few essential preliminary steps to give your property an advantage over others’ listings. As you get ready to sell your property, it’s important to ask yourself what you can still do to spruce it up.

Is your home ready to be shown? Is there clutter scattered throughout? Does every room look its best? Are there any repairs that still need to be made? Are there any small aesthetic upgrades you can still make? Does your home have any sustainability features you can highlight or add?

Potential homebuyers will be scrutinizing your property, analyzing every positive and negative detail.  Many repairs and aesthetic changes can take more time than you might think to complete, so you should think about getting started in advance of  listing your property for  sale. In addition to preparing your property, you should understand your local market and what may be currently important to buyers in your area.

In its most recent REALTORS® and Sustainability report, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) reported that there is a growing interest and demand for more sustainable green properties among consumers. Some of these sustainability issues and practices include efficient use of lighting, Smart Home features, water conservation landscaping and renewable energy systems like geothermal and solar.

“As consumers’ interest in sustainability grows, REALTORS® understand the necessity of promoting sustainability in their real estate practice, such as marketing energy efficiency in property listings to homebuyers,” said William E. Brown, NAR president, a REALTOR® from Alamo, California.

If you are considering listing your home, here are a few steps you may want to take as you begin preparing your home for the spring market:

1. Clean up and organize your home. Removing all unnecessary clutter can make your home look more spacious and welcoming, and putting trinkets and framed photos away will help visitors envision themselves living in your property.

2. Repair and improve property features. Unattended repairs may bring down your property value and hinder it from receiving offers. Other simple home improvements include painting rooms with neutral colors, and adding landscaping to improve curb appeal. More advanced home improvements include installing Smart Home technology, solar panels or other renewable energy options.  Before pursuing any of these options be certain to use appropriate, licensed professionals who can help you determine state and local regulations for obtaining any required permits.

3. Understand your market and property value. There are many variables that can impact your property’s value in your local market. Local real estate professionals can provide information about your market, assess the price range for similar homes in your area, and provide you with advice to help guide you through every step of the process. They can also help you evaluate the situation so you can determine what actions to take next.

To learn more about how to start preparing your property for the spring market, contact a local agent today and visit www.ColdwellBankerHomes.com.