Alabama’s spring air is sweet and mild, but the real estate market gets hot in the spring and early summer.  New listings and new buyers mean now is the time to prep your home and complete projects that will make your listing stand out.  Curb appeal and a spiffy interior can be accomplished with some weekend labor while larger projects may require calling in professionals.  Here are the prep tasks and projects that will make your house shine in the spring market.

Drive by your house like a potential buyer. The exterior is your home’s first impression. Would you pass or stop and take a look inside?  The goal of a well-kept exterior is to entice potential buyers to walk through the front door.  

• Make a list of any needed updates like paint, stain, pressure washing, fresh plants and flowers, and mulch for flowerbeds.  Most of these tasks can be accomplished quickly and inexpensively.
• Clean windows and screens.
• Remove any personalized doormats, signs, flags, or sports team items.
• Inspect for damage that a home inspection may uncover later – especially fascia, soffit and roofing. 
• Check the backyard and declutter the patio or deck area.  
• Make sure outdoor furniture is clean and cushions are in good repair.
• Clean up anything left behind in the yard by family pets.
• Remove or store kids’ play and sports equipment.
• Mow the lawn, trim shrubs and get weeds under control.
• Clean or paint the mailbox and replace numbers if needed.
• Repair and/or re-stain the deck, privacy fence or decorative fencing.

According to real estate website HomeLight, a report by Remodeling magazine found that you can often get the best return on investment (ROI) for renovations that buyers see before they even walk through the front door. “Renovations like a garage door replacement, siding updates, adding a deck and creating a grand entryway all see high ROI.”

Go over every room as if you were a home inspector. House Logic recommends going a step further and hiring your own home inspector so you will know beforehand what is likely to show up in the inspection that counts. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 77% of home buyers have an inspection done before completing a home purchase.

• Declutter and declutter some more. Make sure every room has a clearly defined purpose and eliminate any unnecessary furnishings or barriers that make it difficult to move around. 
• Organize closets, garages, basements, and attics. Consider storing out-of-season clothing to maximize closet space.
• Remove clearly personal items and photographs so the house is the star of the showing.
• Repaint where needed and touch up scratches on wood floors.
• Clean and clean some more. Kitchens and bathrooms should be sparkling clean and smelling fresh.  Repair missing grout and clean as needed.
• Consider staging – especially if you’re no longer living in the home. Staging can help potential buyers see the property as a home.

Updated exteriors and interior spaces create a wow factor for potential buyers but a complete reno can be costly.  ForbesHome suggests small to mid-size updates over complete remodels for maximum ROI.

• Kitchens and Baths – Many REALTORS® say your best money is spent in these two areas. Assuming cabinets are in good condition, a good cleaning or repainting and new hardware can change the entire vibe of a kitchen or bath. If they need more TLC, refacing cabinets is an affordable option to replacing.  Lighting is another easy update.  From new pendant lights over the kitchen island to bathroom vanity lights, affordable options are abundant at home improvement centers and lighting suppliers.  Larger projects that add value are new floors, countertops and backsplashes. Don’t forget faucets and showerheads.  Small kitchen and bathroom fixture changes are easy upgrades that make a big impact.
• Repaint – Paint isn’t as inexpensive as it once was but it’s still a cost-effective way to spruce up a home’s interior.  Remember, to use neutral colors for the widest appeal.  Painting exterior doors and shutters is a quick refresh to a home’s exterior.  Again, choose colors that work well with the home’s exterior finishes.
• Hardware – Old door knobs can make a home look outdated.  Look for new trends and finishes in interior and exterior door hardware for another easy update.  You’ll be surprised how many doors there are in your house, but in a few hours your new hardware will add a fresh look to an area potential buyers notice right away.
• Floors – Refinish hardwood floors, if needed. Consider replacing dingy, worn wall-to-wall carpet with hardwoods or luxury tile.  
• Patios and Decks – During the pandemic, functional outdoor spaces like patios and decks became more attractive to potential buyers.  Especially popular are outdoor kitchens, grilling stations, pergolas, 

Daylight Saving Time has begun so take advantage of the extra daylight to tackle the projects now that will bring your home the most looks (and offers) this Spring.