Published February 22, 2023

Spring Up your Des Moines Home: Getting ready for the Busiest Season

Author Avatar

Written by Ryan Rohlf

Spring Up your Des Moines Home: Getting ready for the Busiest Season header image.

The flowers are in bloom (well, almost!!), the sun is shining, and you might be thinking you are ready to purchase a home. This indicates that the real estate market is likely to experience some major volatility during the coming weeks. The spring selling season is frequently the busiest and most hectic time of the year for real estate activity. While it makes sense, when the weather warms and homebuyers desire to lock in a property before prices climb, individuals hoping to sell their Des Moines home in spring can take advantage of housing market trends and walk away with a tidy profit in the spring.


But, competition and the upfront fact that you'll need to use the most recent spring real estate marketing strategies to highlight your property and stand out in a crowded market come along with all those spring housing market trends. Home upgrades and thoughtful planning can go a long way when it comes to getting your property noticed in what every real estate market forecast appears to anticipate would be a busy market.


Here are five strategies to help your house stand out during the spring selling season and help you receive the most value for your investment.



1. Eliminate clutter

When trying to sell your Des Moines home, nothing says "unappealing" like a cluttered property. And chances are you have a lot of clutter in your home, especially if you've been there for a while.


Here is a spring cleaning check list of things to declutter so that potential buyers can concentrate on your property rather than that pile of shoes by the entrance:



  • Entryway: This is the first spot prospective homebuyers will encounter, so remove jackets, umbrellas, or shoes from your mudroom or entrance.


  • Cabinets, pantry, nightstands, closets: Eliminate anything that isn't needed for decoration, such as medicines and tissues. Closets shouldn't be overstuffed to the point of bursting.


  • Kitchen: Everything should be removed off countertops except for décor and necessary kitchen appliances (e.g. toaster). There shouldn't be any magnets, bills, flyers, or coupons on the fridge.


  • Bedrooms: Beds should be made; clothes and shoes shouldn’t be on the floor.


  • Furniture and electronic equipment: Keep these to a minimum. This will give the impression of a more open floor plan. Organize cords for electronics (e.g. computers, TV).


  • Periodicals, photos, toys, etc: Anything that overly personalizes your home should be kept away.


Do a garage sale, list goods online, or toss away anything you don't need if you need to get rid of clutter.



2. Take personalization out

To help potential buyers picture themselves residing in your home, utilize home staging. Buyers will find it difficult to envision themselves owning, let alone residing in, your property if you showcase goods that give them the impression that it is someone else's home.


You don't have to forgo giving your home a cozy, welcoming atmosphere, but you do want to find a balance between warm and neutral. This necessitates emphasizing things like:


  • Personal effects: Put away any family portraits, sports memorabilia, awards, statues, or artwork. Razors, deodorants, and other personal goods should be hidden in the bathrooms.


  • Collections: It's possible that your prospects don't necessarily collect the same items you do (such as books, religious relics, etc.). Reading material should reflect neutral subjects, such as architecture or food.


  • Repaint walls: The interior of the home should have a neutral color scheme. Instead of feeling like your personality is the house's main theme, you want buyers to imagine themselves living there. To understand how each tone or hue influences your customers, use color psychology.


  • Wall coverings: Wall decorations that have not been updated in the previous five to seven years should be removed or replaced.



3. Keep the exterior tidy.

If you spend all your effort making the interior of your property look beautiful, you'll miss out on the profit potential of external curb appeal. Many buyers determine whether a property is suitable in a matter of seconds after viewing the outside.


  • Yards: Your yard could look unkempt throughout the winter. Trim shrubs, tidy flowerbeds, and remove trash and leaves. The yard's charm can be greatly improved by flower planting, especially in the spring. Your yard can go a long way in raising its appeal, especially during the spring.


  • Porch and patio: Springtime gives people a great excuse to sit out and bask in the weather, so make sure your porch and patio offer that. For a more appealing porch or patio, you can hang a lovely wreath on the front door or add potted plants to the walkway. Make sure to fix any peeling paint or, if necessary, repaint




4. Pre-inspection repairs

The more justification you have for a high asking price, the better maintained your home is. If homebuyers think your spring real estate property needs a lot of maintenance, as indicated by the house inspector they will hire, this can cut into your profits.


Make sure all repairs are completed before listing your home for sale; you can hire a home inspector to perform pre-inspection fixes. You would examine a number of things, including:


  • Plumbing

  • HVAC

  • Electrical

  • Presence of mold and mildews

  • Damp basements or crawlspaces

  • Deteriorated roofs

  • Non-functioning chimneys

  • Structure and foundation

  • Interior appliances, like smoke detectors



5. Open your home up

Use the crisp spring air by opening your windows so that sunlight and fresh air can enter, making your home feel (and smell) alive. Not only are bright rooms visually appealing, but they also appear larger.


Add floor or table lamps to spaces that are darker or dimmer than others if natural light is insufficient. Even some (subtle) air fresheners can be added to enhance the feeling of spring.






Springtime maintenance of your home

People usually purchase items for emotional reasons before backing them with reason, whether it be a house or a box of cereal. And this is especially true during the spring selling season for real estate.


This is because spring evokes strong symbolism, such as renewal and a new beginning. Yet when it comes to selling your house, this can be a potent metaphor. Yet, it's crucial that you remove any barriers to this motivating force.  By ensuring your home is clean, free of trouble areas, and looking as fresh as possible, you might just enjoy a fantastic return on your investment this spring.




Conclusion:

As you can clearly see, the spring selling season is likely to be a pleasant one for both homebuyers and sellers in Des Moines and Central Iowa. Start preparing today to take advantage of this new real estate market reality. You'll be glad that you did.


So, if you need any help with hiring people when doing spring cleaning - contact us here The dsmSOLD Team as we have partners that are suitable for your home needs. 

|

home

Are you buying or selling a home?

Buying
Selling
Both
home

When are you planning on buying a new home?

1-3 Mo
3-6 Mo
6+ Mo
home

Are you pre-approved for a mortgage?

Yes
No
Using Cash
home

Would you like to schedule a consultation now?

Yes
No

When would you like us to call?

Thanks! We’ll give you a call as soon as possible.

home

When are you planning on selling your home?

1-3 Mo
3-6 Mo
6+ Mo

Would you like to schedule a consultation or see your home value?

Schedule Consultation
My Home Value

or another way