Ohio Realtor Kathleen Fornes Brings in Buyers with Spring Selling and Staging Tips

Spring is widely regarded by real estate professionals as the best time of year to sell a home. “In spring, buyers come out in droves due to increased inventory, warmer weather and more daylight hours,” said Fornes.

However, just because spring is usually a seller’s market, with the largest number of buyers actively searching for new homes, it doesn’t mean a home will automatically sell. To better ensure a sale, Fornes shares the following five tips:

No. 1: Enhance curb appeal. “Curb appeal is always essential, despite the season,” noted Fornes. “In spring, however, after cleaning out the dead debris of winter, it is imperative to keep your lawn and bushes maintained if planning on showing your house.” She also suggests planting flowers, keeping in mind that yellow flowers may stimulate buying urges.

No. 2: Declutter. Getting rid of the clutter in a home for sale is also critical, as potential buyers want to see how they will live in the house, not how you lived in it. Before showing the house, take time to rid it of unnecessary items, packing up and storing the ones you want to keep, and donating or selling the rest. Furthermore, remove extraneous sports paraphernalia so you don’t offend a buyer who favors a rival team.

No. 3: Bring spring inside. Setting out aromatic flowers and opening the windows can give the interior a spring-like feel. Flowers are just as important inside as they are outside, and once inside prospective buyers will appreciate the beauty and aroma of fresh-cut flowers. “You can further let the outside in by opening windows, therefore accentuating the positives with sunshine, fresh air, and a refreshing spring breeze,” noted Fornes.  

No. 4: Make the house shine. This includes removing all signs of pet stains, pet food, and excess dog hair on the furniture. It is important to wash the windows or have them professionally cleaned, and shake out any throw rugs and check to see if they can go in the washing machine. “Sweep the porch, if you have one, clean up the pantry and get rid of food items you won’t use, and put extra food that you will use in the garage with the other stuff that is not ‘for show’ to people touring your house,” advised Fornes. “Use your garage to hide unsightly boxes and piles of things, like paperwork, outside toys, or extra furniture that you will be selling before you move. Also, spray for bugs outside, as nothing is a faster turn-off than a buyer finding bugs in the house.”

No. 5: Don’t ask too much. “Setting the right price before you list is critical to getting the most for your home and selling it quickly,” concluded Fornes. “However, even though spring is the optimal time to sell, buyers are savvy and always looking for a fair deal, and will resent a seller trying to take advantage of them. If in doubt about a reasonable asking price, compare your home to similar homes in your neighborhood that have sold and for how much, and always consult with your real estate agent.”

About Kathleen Fornes, Key Realty Columbus

Kathleen Fornes works with buyers and sellers all over central Ohio. During the course of her career, Fornes has worked with all aspects of real estate. This includes, but is not limited to, residential, relocation, investment properties, foreclosures, short sales (pre-foreclosure) estates, divorces, auctions, nonprofits, land and farms. For more information, please call (614) 204-5707, or visit www.kfornes.com.

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