Secret To Selling This Spring: Get Started Immediately

When it comes to homes, spring is the busy time of year. This is the busiest time of the year for buyers entering the market, so homes sell quickly and for the most money. If you're already planning to move, why not put your house on the market this spring while there are more people out there that are looking to buy?

Now is the time to start getting your house ready to sell since spring is coming up soon. You have a little more than a month to get ready. And even though that sounds like a long time, it will be over very fast. And this year, you won't want to rush through this important job.

It Will Matter More If You Do the Right Repairs This Spring

There are two things that are true right now. There are more homes for sale than in recent years. Potential home buyers are being becoming a bit more picky. That means you need to spend some time and energy fixing things in a smart way. A lot of homeowners have already started this job.

In his book 2025 Outlook for Home Remodeling (2024), Carlos Martin, who runs the Remodeling Futures Program at Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies, says:

“. . . homeowners are slowly but surely expanding the pace and scope of projects compared to the last couple years.”

Replacement of water heaters, HVAC units, and floors are the jobs they do most often (US Census Bureau, 2024). Based on Census data on home improvements, energy saving is also a very important thing to think about (US Census Bureau, 2024).

 

What You Should Put First When You Make Plans

You don't have to do everything that others are doing. Instead, imagine that you are a buyer and want to see certain things. Focus on quick wins that you can finish in a short amount of time. However, don't forget about key repairs, especially if you think they might turn buyers away from your home.

Big purchases like replacing an old roof or flooring may seem like a lot of work, but they can pay off...especially when you focus on the projects that will give you the best return on your investment (ROI).

The knowledge of an agent is very important for cutting down your list to the updates that are really worth it. They know what buyers in your area want and have information like this Zonda report to help you figure out which types of updates will give you the best return on investment (JLC, 2024). See green in the graph below:

That's why you should talk to a real estate agent in your area before you start making improvements. An article by Lee (2025) for Bankrate says it best:

“As a seller, it’s smart to be prepared and control whatever factors you’re able to. Things like hiring a great real estate agent and maximizing your home’s online appeal can translate into a smoother sale — and more money in the bank.”

You can start working with an agent at any time. Start right away, and you'll still have time to spread out the work and find the workers you need. If you wait until spring to get started, you might not have enough time, and other homes that are more ready to sell could get more attention than your house.

In Conclusion

It's time to start working on your list if you want to sell this spring. But let's talk first before you start. You can then be sure that the projects you work on and the money you spend will pay off in the long run.

To help you decide what to do first, send me a list of all the things on your current to-do list.

References

JLC (2024). 2024 Cost vs Value Report: Key Trends in the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report. JLC the Journal of Light Construction. Retrieved February 13, 2025, from https://www.jlconline.com/cost-vs-value/2024/key-trends-in-the-2024-cost-vs-value-report

Joint Center for Housing Studies. (2025, January 16). Modest Gains in 2025 Outlook For Home Remodeling. Retrieved February 13, 2025, from https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/press-releases/modest-gains-2025-outlook-home-remodeling

Lee, J. (2025, January 13). How to sell your house in 2025: A step-by-step guide. Bankrate. Retrieved February 13, 2025, from https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/how-to-sell-your-house

US Census Bureau. (2024, October 30). 2023 Home Improvements. Census.gov. Retrieved February 13, 2025, from https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/2024/demo/home-improvements.html