Chris Gmyr

After a long winter, spring is finally right around the corner. The temperatures are starting to inch their way up, and the snow is going to start melting away. If you’re preparing to sell your home this Spring or Summer, now is the perfect time to get started.

Start planning your curb appeal. This is what buyers see first, so make a great first impression. A little landscaping and a fresh coat of paint can give your property the “wow” factor it needs to sell. Although it’s still to early to plant seeds or bulbs, start planning now. Make a list of which plants you want, and where you want to put them. Pay attention to colors, heights and the amount of light each flower type needs.

If you will be painting your home before the sale, start picking out colors. Soft gray, blue or white are the most popular colors, but you don’t have to limit yourself to those choices. However, try to stay away bold bright colors. You want your home to stand out in a good way; you don’t want to stand out for having a gaudily painted property. This is also a good time to start looking for patio furniture, if you have a deck or front porch. This small staging step can make the house feel more inviting.

If you have major landscaping work to complete, or if you will be hiring someone to do the landscaping for you, start preparing now. Find a landscaper you like, and book early. If you will be doing the work yourself, check to make sure your tools are all in good shape. Do any maintenance work that may be needed on your lawn mower, rototiller or other outdoor lawn care equipment. Research local pick-up days for cut shrubbery, sticks and landscaping scraps.

Inside, it’s time to lighten up and put out some brighter colors. Light purples, blues, yellows, greens and other spring colors will give your home a fresh feel. If you are showing your home, make sure your windows are very clean, and letting in lots of light. After a long, gloomy winter, the natural sunlight will make a huge impact on buyers. Don’t use any strong household fragrances– try to stick with clean linen, lightly scented rose or other seasonal scents. Don’t overpower your home, though, and it’s better to not use any scents at all. Some buyers may have allergies or may be super-sensitive to those scents.

Spring is one of the busiest times of the year in real estate. Take advantage of the increase in buyers, and make sure your home makes a great impression. With the help of an experienced Syracuse real estate agent, you could have your home sold, and be into your new home, by summer.