If you plan to sell your home in the spring (or earlier), the time after the holidays is one of the best opportunities to fix up your home. After taking down decorations and squeezing a tree through your door, it’s time to clean, organize, paint, donate, and bring some other life back into your house. Many interior projects can be accomplished while pent up during those cold/dreary winter months. Here’s a look at a few quick ones to get your home ready to sell in the post holiday months.
1. “Out with the old and in with the new.” Chances are that after the holidays you’ve acquired a few “new,” items. It’s a great time to evaluate if there are any “old items,” that can either be stored, thrown away, or donated. While the holiday decorations are removed, it’s a great opportunity to dig up long lost artifacts and ask the same question of whether or not it’s worth keeping. Keep in mind, you’ll either need to deal with those items now or before you move; or, you’ll need to deal with them when you unpack. Additionally, the end of the calendar year is a great time to make those donations and keep those tax receipts.
2. While sifting through all your items it’s important to place things back in an orderly fashion. A cluttered space may portray your home as having a lack of storage. A clean and organized space gives the impression that there’s an abundance of usable space. Began by targeting the most visible areas, but don’t skip over the lesser used rooms, closets, attics, and/or basements. Again, keep in mind that it’ll all have to be dealt with at some point – how much better will it be to have your home clean/tidy prior to putting it on the market!
3. After your rooms are de-cluttered, it’s a great time to liven up your walls with paint. A light neutral color will brighten the room and freshen up the space. A crisp paint job is important, and don’t forget ceilings and trim. Also, make sure you paint the inside of closets, an important but easy space to overlook. Paint is one of the cheapest and most immediate updates you can make to your home.
4. One other quick fix after the holidays is to replace all those Frasier firs and pine cones with some a different type of indoor plant life. There are several hardy house plants that will survive in the winter and breathe some fresh air into your home. Succulents are the perfect indoor plant for those that lack a green thumb. Christmas cactus, jade plant, aloe, and snake plant are just a few good options. English ivy, rubber tree, and hibiscus are also some great options to add color variations to an interior decor. House plants used in moderation will add a great pop of life into the room and brings out all the positive emotions related to spring.
All the tasks associated with the holidays have been checked off your list. Now it’s on to the next one. Utilize some of the momentum of the new year to help ready your home to be sold. Going the extra mile with a total clean-out, organizing as you go, adding some new paint, and bringing in some house plants, will enhance the look and feel of your home. The little details will make your home feel more inviting. This will lead to more showings, a quicker sale, and ultimately, the most competitive pricing of your estate.