This article can be found in The Argonaut, where Lisa Phillips is a regular contributor.

Q: I’m not sure that I’m ready to sell my home, but will you come over to see it, and tell me what you think I need to do to get ready, just in case?

A:  As a local Realtor®, people ask me to evaluate their home for purposes of sale, and sometimes very preliminarily- not ready to sell yet, but thinking about it or planning ahead, and concerned that once that big decision is made, the house should be ready. In this Sellers’ market, with prices high and inventory low, there are still some things that make the difference in getting a premium price and multiple buyers vying for your property.

Spring is prime time for selling your home- it’s also an ideal time to simply refresh your home.  If you are not selling right now, do it for yourself instead of only making your home its best for the next owner.  So many sellers, after de-cluttering and a fresh coat of paint, wonder why they hadn’t done it sooner! From my personal and professional experience, here are a few suggestions for anyone to maximize both the value and the personal enjoyment of your home:

  1.  De-clutter. You have likely heard this before, and the importance of de-cluttering cannot be overstated. Buyers don’t want to see crowded surfaces or stuffed closets, and neither should you! I have become a big fan of the Kon Mari method, named for Marie Kondo, tidying extraordinaire and author of the popular book, “the life-changing magic of tidying up”. Ms. Condo has several refreshing approaches to minimizing clutter, including organizing by category rather than by room, and by keeping only those items that bring you joy. It sounds obvious, but, if like me, you struggle to part with things, it can be a life changer.  Almost every house I view, my first piece of advice is to clear out what you don’t need- if you aren’t ready to part with your things, place them in storage- with so many new storage options, including on demand, it has never been easier.
  2. Spring planting. Clean up that garden. Plant some fresh sod or grass seed and your favorite spring perennials. Time for some new mulch, or if you prefer a more contemporary look, garnish your garden with small stones. Sweep up all those leaves and cobwebs, hose down the front porch, and get rid of anything with rust that sits in plain view, including garden tools or half-finished projects. A trip to your gardening store, and a little work over a weekend will welcome homebuyers, or you and your family, to an inviting home.
  3. Check and maintain all of your systems. Do you have a couple of non-working electrical outlets or a leak you haven’t gotten around to? Now is the time – do it for yourself, not just for the next owner!! You deserve to enjoy your home, and take pride in it. Check your HVAC system, filters, and light bulbs. You will thank yourself as you do, and when the time comes to sell, you will have confidence that your home has been well maintained.
  4. Clean and primp. They call it Spring Cleaning for a reason, so get to it! Not just your usual cleaning of the counters and floors, but a top to bottom cleaning. From moldings to ceiling fans, kitchen utensil drawers to garage shelving.
  5. Finishing Touches. Don’t forget to give your home those last touches that you always planned to do. Hang some art, put something beautiful on your shelving, flowers or a simple bowl of lemons on the table. Now that your walls and baseboards are as clean as they can be, take a little paintbrush and touch up those scuffs on the wall, and especially the baseboards. Your home will sparkle with just these little expressions of love.

Now that you’ve given your home a big hug, take a look around. Do you love it? Enjoy it! Or did this exercise help you decide that you are ready for a change – more space, less space, the yard you always wanted, or an ocean view? If so, spring is the perfect time to maximize your home’s sales price and work toward those future goals. Happy Spring Cleaning!

Disclaimer: This article is intended to be primarily for entertainment purposes, and is not to be considered legal advice.

ABOUT LISA PHILLIPS, ESQ / CA Bureau of Real Estate Lic# 01189413

Lisa Phillips is an active Realtor in the Los Angeles area, with more than twenty years as a practicing real estate broker and attorney. Her unparalleled knowledge of real estate, from local markets and pricing to legal issues and deal-making, has made her a trusted and valuable asset to her clients. In addition to her real estate and business savvy, Lisa is passionate about helping others, and works tirelessly to achieve the best results for her clients. For more information, please visit www.LisaPhillipsRealEstate.com