Spring is typically the busiest season for residential real estate transactions, as buyers
and sellers look to move when the weather warms and the school year ends.
For the past few years, low inventory has kept the spring in a seller’s market as buyers had to compete for the limited properties. However, as new housing inventory increases in some markets, the advantage has somewhat shifted to buyers.
Inventory is improving, but still not enough. Supply is increasing more slowly than we need. Sellers still have an advantage, but it’s not the extreme seller’s market we saw during the pandemic.
If you are thinking of selling this spring, here are 10 tips from real estate experts.
1. Price your home for today’s market
Having the right price is important to bring buyers in. Too high and it can turn potential buyers away. That's where the comps — listings of similar properties in your area — come in.
Buyers today are informed and analytical, you need a smart pricing strategy based on the comps and what is actually happening in your area. Holding on to aspirational pricing of yesterday and overpricing your home to test the waters is the fastest way to stall momentum.
While online pricing tools are helpful, local agents will know how to price the home for the current market.
2. Handle repairs early to avoid spring surprises
The days of skipping inspections are over, and now buyers expect an inspection. If you know your home needs a major repair, make it now or lower your asking price. Sellers need to make repairs in advance and aim for clean inspection reports.
Buyers are less eager to renovate in 2026. Cost of materials are up, and many don’t want to deal with the hassle.
Any modifications that need to be done to the home that could help it sell quickly should be done. A turnkey, move-in-ready home is really key in this market.
3. Give your belongings a spring‑clean reset
Part of making a home appealing to a buyer is letting them see the space. It’s hard to get the full picture when someone else’s stuff is in the way.
The most important part is getting the home ready so that any prospective buyer walks in and can immediately imagine themselves living there. Sometimes it’s just decluttering and depersonalizing so the home becomes as blank of a slate as possible.
Go through each closet, cabinet and storage space. Donate or sell what you don’t want and pack up what you are keeping. You’re going to move anyway —so, start packing before you list.
4. Freshen your home with a deep clean
Buyers want a blank slate, which means they want a clean place. Cleaning before selling is different than a weekly cleaning. It’s a deep cleaning that gets to every surface in the house.
Clean, good-smelling, light and bright beats upgrades every time. A dirty upgraded house won’t sell. As soon as a buyer walks in they will be judging the property, and if they can smell what you had for dinner last night, they are not going to see the home’s full potential.
5. Give your home a light refresh
Maybe the home doesn’t need any major repairs. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. There are simple ways to improve the home with refreshes.
Fresh caulking in bathrooms is such an easy fix and people still skip it.
Paint is a very powerful tool to cover up any wear or tear on the walls. As the owner you might not notice a scuff, but potential buyers will. Paint is also a way to make a space feel neutral.
Taking the time to refresh paint, carpet or drywall could set the home apart for a buyer. New flooring and fresh paint are like catnip for buyers. They walk in, smell the fresh paint and immediately move the house to the top of their list.
6. Use staging to help your home stand out
Some experts suggest staging a home when simply decluttering and cleaning are not enough. Staging matters. Preparing the home to be ‘buyer-ready’ attracts more buyers, especially now that inventory has increased.
Staging is a powerful marketing tool, but you don’t need to go overboard. Make the home as presentable as possible. Many of my listings that are selling now are freshly painted, staged and offer a neutral palette for the buyer.
7. Make sure your online photos shine
Most buyers’ first impression of your home will be from an online listing, so make sure your Realtor is putting out the best images possible.
First impressions are everything. Most buyers decide whether or not to physically visit a home based on 10- to 15 seconds of online viewing. High-quality photography and video, and a well-crafted listing narrative need to be a part of the listing strategy. The online listing should stand out and high-quality images are eye catching.
For marketing photos — your Realtor should hire a professional photographer. Don’t let your agent take cell-phone pictures.
8. Get your keys ready
When putting a home on the market, you are going to need a few extra keys that work. Go ahead and get those keys and test them.
You will likely need to keep a spare key in a lockbox for agents to come show the home. Make sure you test the keys and make it easy for potential buyers and agents to see the home.
9. List at the right moment in the spring market
Spring is a popular time for buying and selling because it’s the end of the school calendar year and the weather makes it easier to move.
Homes sell faster in the spring. Historically, we see median days on market drop from about 49 days in winter to around 30 days by early summer.
BOTTOM LINE
The housing inventory is up a bit this year compared to the last few years, which means there are more places competing for buyers' attention. Sellers need accurate, current pricing to stay competitive.
If you’re considering making a move in the next few months, give us a call at:
(314) 348-4033
We’ll provide you with a valuation of what your home could sell for in this current market, as well as give you even more tips on how to prepare your home for sale.
Don’t hesitate…contact us today!
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