Special offer

Getting Your Home Ready To Sell This Spring

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty Five of Defiance

North American Robin

I saw my first Robin yesterday as I was driving down North Clinton St. and was finally convinced that spring was in deed here despite the recent snow. 

With the arrival of spring, I'm reminded that the spring housing market has arrived and many people are considering placing their home on the market to get it sold by the time schools get out for summer vacation.

With that in mind, I decided, this week, that I would share a few tips to help you get your house in shape so that it will be better prepared for when you do place it on the market.

Spring is a great time of year to begin the process of clearing out unwanted items that you have collected over the years.  You should consider getting rid of any items you have not used over the past 12 months.  This is especially true of unused children's toys or clothes you or your children have outgrown or don't wear anymore.

You can take many of the items you have stashed around the house and recycle them.  Old magazines and books can be offered to hospitals, schools, nursing homes or even day care centers.  Newspapers, plastics and metals can all be recycled and some even for cash.

You should throw away any items that are broken or worn-out as they most likely are not worth anything.  Begin disposing of expired medications by flushing them down the toilet.  If you have paints, chemicals or other toxic materials you should call the local recycling facility to find out how to dispose of them properly.

Items such as clothes, appliances, furniture and accessories can be easily turned into cash by simply holding a weekend garage or yard sale. Consider selling some of those items in the classifieds or on an online auction site.  If your tax burden was a little heavy this year, maybe you should consider donating those items to one of many charitable organizations in town that accept material donations and get the nice tax deductions.  Some of those organizations even pick up your donations.

Whether you're considering selling your home or not this spring, getting rid of all that clutter is a great idea. Doing so, will make your home feel and look cleaner and larger.  You and your potential buyers will be able to recognize what your home has to offer not just what it holds.  You may be able to put a little cash in your pocket, save on your taxes, help out your neighbors in need and even help preserve our planet.  So, spring into action and get rid of that stuff. You will be pleasantly surprised by all the benefits you gain, especially the greater potential of getting your house sold.

 

Scott M. Williams is a licensed Realtor® at Butler Mohr GMAC Real Estate in Defiance, Ohio. He can be contacted at: Scott@butlermohr.com or 419-438-1165

 

 

Comments (2)

Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Great tips and beautiful photo of the robin, Scott!

 

Mar 25, 2008 03:59 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services
Nice blog and a good reminder to declutter.  I can't believe we are going to get more snow tomorrow in New Hampshire.  I will be on the look out for that beautiful robin -- Welcome spring!
Mar 25, 2008 04:09 PM