There are plenty of reasons people love to list their homes in spring. The season heralds change and new beginnings for many people. The weather starts to motivate us, as the sun is shining, the snow is melting, and buyers, often armed with tax refunds, are coming out of hibernation hungry for a home. It doesn’t hurt that every property looks better with a clearer forecast and more vibrant colors, especially when homeowners have spent the cold months sprucing up homes for a fast sale.

The numbers continue to support this seasonal home-listing trend. Looking at the number of homes sold in the state of Utah in the last five years, there are consistent spikes between quarter 2 and 3, showing that spring is still the most popular time to list a home, and that more transactions are done during this time than any other time over the course of a given year. In fact, when sales peak during the spring, homeowners often meet buyers willing to pay full price, as inventory doesn’t match buyer demand.

So how do you take advantage of the time you have now to prepare your home for sale this spring? Here are a few ideas from the qualified real estate agents and property management team at Rize Homesource:

Make minor indoor improvements.

Now’s the time to make necessary repairs and aesthetic improvements—but not costly renovations—that will make your home look clean and fresh to prospective buyers. You’d be surprised how far a little bright-white caulk in your bathroom will go or how some modern hardware can transform a kitchen or how a fresh coat of paint impacts the look and feel of a home. There are all kinds of small projects you can work on over the winter while you’re indoors, including deep cleaning carpets, major appliances and baseboards to make the house shine.

Work your curb appeal.

As you get closer to spring and things begin to thaw, it’s important to make a plan to boost your home’s curb appeal. This includes everything from repairing driveway cracks, cleaning windows, inside and outside, and edging the grass around walkways and trees, to upgrading your outside lighting, replacing your house numbers, mailbox and front door knob, and adding new door mat and pot of bright flowers to the front porch. Don’t forget about that lawn: Mow it regularly, remove all yard toys and tools from sight, and run sprinklers for 30 minutes before a showing to make the lawn sparkle.

Stage it like you mean it.

If you’ve ever seen a well-staged model home you know a property designed for quick sale is free of clutter and personal items, yet full calming elements such as living plants and neutral walls. Potential buyers need to be able to picture themselves living in your home—not your family. So start organizing by storing special items in the garage and giving away things you don’t really need. The more you de-clutter now the easier it will be to stage and tidy your home for back-to-back spring showings.

Find your listing agent.

Once you’ve got your own home in order, it’s time to start choosing a listing agent. The right person could impact how quickly your home sells—and even how much money you make on your investment. A knowledgeable real estate agent with strong local knowledge can help you evaluate how fast homes are selling in your market and help how long it might take you to find a home. Start by securing recommendations from friends and interviewing several real estate agents to see who has sold homes in your price range and area and who offers up a smart marketing plan and comprehensive market analysis.

Run the numbers.

Get a pre-sale home inspection before spring hits. An inspector can quickly give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin. Get replacement estimates for any big-ticket items such as a roof or flooring that buyers may not be able to overlook. Even if you don’t plan to replace these, having figures available will help buyers make decisions and will be handy when negotiations begin. While you’re at it, gather up all warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other appliances that will remain with the house.

Think your home has what it takes to compete in a hot spring market? Call a Rize Homesource Realtor today to see how you’re stacking up in Utah—and how you can sell your home faster.