The Rhode Island spring real estate market is typically the busiest time of year. If you are looking to buy a home you may be up against some cut-throat buyers. If you are on the other side of this and are planning to sell your home, then get ready to make your home stand out in the market.
All of this competition in the spring can make buying and selling real estate seem intimidating. However, with the help of an experienced real estate agent, you will be able to navigate the spring market with confidence. I want to share with you some of my favorite tips for preparing for the spring real estate market in New England.
First-Time Homebuyers
- Hire a trusted real estate professional. We are here to help you make the challenging process of buying a home much less complicated. Make sure your real estate agent in Rhode Island is someone with experience that you also get along with. You will be spending a lot of time together so it’s important that you have great chemistry to make the process that much smoother.
- Prioritize your wants and needs. Know what you want/need before you step into the real estate market this spring. Needs and wants include things like: # of bedrooms and bathrooms, garage, big backyard, deck, porch, etc.
- Get Pre-Qualified. This should be the first thing you do before going to open houses and showings this spring. Pre-qualification helps you know what you can afford so you are not wasting your time on houses that are out of reach.
- Know your numbers. A loan officer will be able to walk you through this to help make your home buying process much smoother. These numbers include: How much you can afford, estimated monthly payments, insurance payments, taxes, water and sewer bills.
- Have your documents ready. With competition high, you may want to fast track the process, make sure your paperwork is ready to go. Some of these documents include; Identification, W2s, pay stubs, and bank statements.
Selling Your Home
- Spring clean your home. Clear out all of the clutter. Nothing will turn buyers off more than a cluttered home. Buyers will open closets and cabinets so do not forget about those spaces also.
- Remove personalization. The purpose of staging your home is to help the buyer feel like it could be theirs. Pack up family portraits, collections, repaint the walls a neutral color, and get rid of anything that would make prospective buyers feel uncomfortable.
- Clean the exterior. Curb appeal is important, this is the first thing homebuyers will see. Spring is the perfect time to plant flowers, trim hedges, cut the grass, and add any landscaping aspects that will increase the attractiveness of your home.
- Complete pre-inspection repairs. The less repairs a buyer will have to make, the higher you can price your home. Before your house goes on the market, make sure all repairs are done; you can hire your own home inspector to conduct pre-inspection repairs. Among the things you would look at include:
- Plumbing
- HVAC
- Electrical
- Presence of mold and mildews
- Damp basements or crawlspaces
- Deteriorated roofs
- Non-functioning chimneys
- Structure and foundation
- Interior appliances, like smoke detectors
- Open your home up. Let the fresh air and sunlight in so that your home feels and smells like spring. Buyers love natural light, open the blinds and draw back the curtains. Add mirrors to dark spaces to allow the light to reflect in those rooms.
Homes With Holly recognizes that the spring real estate market in Rhode Island can be challenging. That is why I want to help you buy or sell your home this spring. Let me do most of the dirty work for you. Competition is high and bidding wars are coming. Don’t get stuck negotiating without an experienced real estate agent in Rhode Island. Contact me today to buy or sell your home.
