8 Do's and Don'ts For Selling Your Home This Spring

Selling your home can be a stressful process, but it doesn't have to be. If you take the right steps and avoid making common mistakes, you can make selling your home this spring an enjoyable experience. In this blog post, we will outline 8 do's and don'ts to keep in mind when selling your home this spring.

1) DO Research the Prices of Homes in Your Area

When selling your home, pricing it accurately is one of the most important things to consider. It's not enough to just choose a number you think is right—do some research and make sure that your home is priced according to the market in your area (don’t forget, a local real estate agent can also help you with this). Pricing too high will only mean your home sits on the market for too long without getting any offers, so be sure to be upfront and lead the market instead of following it. Research what homes similar to yours have sold for recently and make sure that the price you set is competitive and fair.

2) DON'T Sell Your Home Without the Assistance of a Real Estate Agent

When it comes to selling your home this spring, it's important to remember not to do it on your own. Without the help of a real estate agent, you are taking a big risk. Selling your Florida home is a complex process and without the expertise of an experienced real estate professional, you may not get the best value for your property or you may even be putting yourself at risk for legal complications.

A good real estate professional does much more than just show your home to people. They’ll do everything from paperwork to networking, and make sure they are looking out for your best interests. Agents understand the market trends, which can be very useful in helping you list your home at the right price and negotiating with potential buyers. They also have access to resources that you may not have, such as marketing strategies and contacts, which makes the sale go much smoother and quicker. Plus, it's a lot less time and work for you as the seller!

3) DO Stage Your Home

Staging your home before selling is a crucial step in the home selling process! When a potential buyer comes to view the home, they want to see a house that looks inviting and ready to move into. Staging your home with furniture and accessories can show buyers how they could use the space and make them more likely to make an offer. When staging, focus on making each room look larger and brighter, de-clutter the home to give it a neat and tidy appearance, and add some accent pieces like paintings or flowers to help the buyer imagine living in the space. Proper staging can make a huge difference when it comes to the time it takes to sell your home or even the final sale price!

4) DON'T Forget That Not All Renovations Are Worth It

Before you make any decisions about home renovations or updates before selling your Florida home, you should assess whether or not you will receive a good return on investment (ROI). According to the 2022 Cost vs Value Report by Remodeling Magazine, even a midrange kitchen remodel will only recoup about 56 percent of the value. On the other hand, remodeling a bathroom will usually result in a ROI of about 59 percent.

There are a handful of things you may want to skip renovating before listing your home for home for sale, especially because a buyer might renovate those things, anyway. Before spending thousands of dollars on these projects, it is important to consider several factors, including your budget and the amount of time you have available. If you don't have much time or money, it may be best to focus on smaller, more cost-effective home improvements that can still make a difference to prospective buyers.

5) DO Let As Much of That Beautiful Spring Light in As Possible

The change of season brings warmer temperatures, longer days, and beautiful Florida sunshine! Allowing as much of that natural light in your home as possible can make a world of difference in the look and feel of your home. Natural light can create a warm and inviting atmosphere for potential buyers. If you have any curtains or window treatments, make sure you draw them back to let in as much light as possible and brighten up the room. Don’t forget, lighting plays a huge role in how we experience spaces and how it’s perceived by others!

6) DON'T Neglect Your Front Porch

When you’re selling your Florida home, it’s easy to forget about the front porch. You might be focused on cleaning the inside of your house and updating the kitchen and bathrooms (rightfully so). However, your front porch is a great space to make a first impression and attract potential buyers into your home! If your front porch is looking a little bland, don’t forget to add some flowers, plants, furniture, or decorations to give your front porch a sense of life. Even adding a few simple touches like a welcome mat or a potted plant can make a big difference when it comes to selling your home. Taking the time to spruce up your front porch and curb appeal in general can really help your home stand out from the rest!

7) DO Set Aside Time for Spring Cleaning

Before you list your Florida home on the market, you should set aside time for some thorough spring cleaning. A clean and tidy home is more likely to make a good impression on potential buyers, so you should make sure to clean every nook and cranny of your home. Consider adding these items to your spring cleaning list when you’re selling your home this spring:

Make sure all windows and mirrors are spotless
Give the exterior of your home a good power wash
Declutter and get rid of excess items to make your space look larger and more inviting
Depersonalize so potential buyers can better imagine themselves living in your home
Clean and organize your closets
Clean all surfaces with the appropriate cleaning supplies to protect surface finishes
Wipe down the refrigerator and remove magnets and personal items
Make sure your home smells good!

Taking the time to do some spring cleaning will ensure that your home is ready to show off its best features and help you get top dollar for your Florida home.

8) DON'T Photograph Your Home with Your Smartphone

It can be tempting to grab your smartphone and snap some pictures of your Florida home when you're selling it, but this isn't recommended. While pictures taken on your phone are perfectly fine for personal use, they won't do your home justice when it comes to professional real estate listings. Professional photographs take into account the best angles of your home, make sure that the lighting is even throughout the room, and allow potential buyers to get a better sense of the flow of the home. And before you get professional photos taken, don’t forget to make sure your home is photo ready! So while you may be tempted to grab your smartphone, make sure to hire a professional photographer who can show off your house in its best light!

Selling your home this spring can be a great experience and you’re sure to receive top dollar for it if you follow our do’s and don’ts. Pricing your home correctly, investing in staging, using natural light to brighten up the home, cleaning and sprucing up your curb appeal, and dedicating time to spring cleaning are all key components of a successful sale. Don’t forget that although some renovations can boost the value of your Florida home, they aren’t all worth the money and effort. As always, your real estate agent is here to help guide you through the process of selling your home this spring!