Time For Spring Cleaning For Spring Sales

It’s winter, time to hang the “For Sale” sign.

Homeowners shouldn’t dally if they want to sell their houses in spring, the peak season for real-estate transactions, real-estate agents say.

“If they know they want to move by summer, now is not too early to bring somebody in,” said Barbara Nowak, an agent with Long & Foster in Burke, Va.

Now — not when the tulips are in bloom — is the time to start decluttering, cleaning, making repairs, getting paperwork together and interviewing real-estate agents.

Homeowners with a lot of junk can take two to four weeks just to get through this step, Nowak said, meaning now is the time to get rid of any books, videos or toys you don’t use.

“You can either donate them or put them away.”

Many real-estate agents advise renting a storage space if need be.

Getting your home ready for market:

Here are a few home-selling tips from Barb Schwarz, one of the pioneers in the field of “staging” homes.

Box it up: When sellers clear gear out, they tend to still need to halve the remaining belongings.

Cross the street: Can you see your property? If not, trim trees and hedges to open up or widen an existing view.

Check the landscaping: Sellers should remember to place color by the front door (potted plants) and to revive unhealthy grass.

Read the entire article “Get ready to clean house for spring sales” By Mary Ellen Slayter at www.SeattleTimes.com.

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