Spring Cleaning Checklist: Prepare your home ready for sale this spring

With spring now upon us, we are already seeing signs of the property market across Yorkshire starting to bloom with an increase in interested buyers and tenants.

If you’re thinking of selling or renting your home soon, a little spring cleaning is an essential first step in making sure your home is ready to impress. Take a read below for our top tips on how to prepare your home for sale or rent this spring.

Clean and declutter your space, inside and out!

First impressions are everything, so it’s important to keep that in mind when thinking about marketing your home. The first thing people see when they view your home is its exterior, so it’s important to make sure it has strong kerb appeal. Adding some plant pots filled with colourful spring flowers is a quick and easy way to make the front of your home more appealing.

When it comes to the interior of your home, we always advise our clients to first start by decluttering. Buyers want to envision themselves living in your space, and that can be difficult if it’s filled with excess furniture, personal items and clutter. Start by tidying and clearing countertops, tables, cabinets and making sure everything looks neat and tidy and consider moving furniture to open the rooms up.  

Tick off your odd jobs list

Potential buyers can find it off putting if they spot lots of work to be done whilst viewing a property. Is there a wall that you’ve been meaning to give a fresh lick of paint, or some skirting that still needs fitting? Now is the time to finish those jobs you’ve been putting off.

Remember, prospective buyers want to be able to imagine themselves living in your home, so it’s important to make it look like one they’d like to live in!

Stage your home

Staging simply means dressing your home to create inviting, open spaces and is one of the most effective ways to show buyers your home at its full potential.

Adding simple décor like fresh flowers and cushions can really help to enhance the aesthetic of the space without costing too much. Scent is also important and can leave a lasting memory for those that come to view your home, so make sure your home smells nice and open a window to let some fresh air in. 

Make sure your paperwork is in check

Make sure your paperwork is in order before marketing your home so that things can progress smoothly once an offer is accepted.  Both your estate agent and solicitor can help you understand what paperwork is needed for your property.

An important task is to ensure you have an up-to-date EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) for your property as they are legally required when selling or renting in the UK.

Find an accredited EPC assessor and schedule a time to have your property assessed. Typically, your assessor will evaluate insulation, heating, glazing & ventilation in your home. It should only take a few days to receive your EPC, which will include the rating and recommendations.

Be prepared for the next steps

Get ahead by instructing a solicitor ahead of an offer acceptance. Don’t wait until you’ve accepted an offer to instruct a solicitor as this could potentially slow the process down.

 At North Residential, we can provide a list of recommended solicitors that we know to be reliable, efficient and good value. We’re also able to help you beyond this first stage with our first-of-its-kind professional sales progression service designed to ensure a smoother and more efficient journey for our clients from start to finish.

Throughout the process of your sale, Jo, a former solicitor, will support you in communicating with your solicitor to help you understand all aspects of your property’s sale and ensure it moves forward as timely as possible. Her professional expertise means we can also spot any potential issues that may impact the transaction throughout the process.

Choosing the right agent & getting the right valuation!

Selecting the right estate agent can make all the difference in achieving a smooth and successful sale or purchase.

Getting an accurate valuation from an estate agent you can trust is vital, as if your asking price is too high, you may slow the process down. Choosing an estate agent that has excellent knowledge of the local area is key to success, as they will have the experience of knowing how much similar houses in your area have been bought and sold for as well as insights into the types of buyers that are typically looking for a similar home.

At North Residential, we pride ourselves on providing honest and accurate valuations, never choosing to overvalue a property solely to secure the instruction. Expert, honest valuations mean we often sell properties faster than national agents.

As Yorkshire’s premier estate agent, our experienced team have excellent local knowledge spanning Harrogate, North Leeds, Pocklington and Ilkley, which they draw on to support sellers and buyers to secure the very best results.

To get a free and accurate appraisal, fill in your details here.

If you’d like to know more about some key points to nail when preparing to sell your home today, get in touch with one of our agents today by phone (01423 530088) or email harrogate@northresidential.co.uk.