Page 34 - Scene Magazine 41-05 May 2016

Real Estate Scene
Fresh Tips for the Spring Real Estate Market
By KAthy PERREtt
Seventy-five percent of Ameri- cans believe that now is a good time to buy a house, according to a re- cent report from the National Asso- ciation of Realtors®.
That’s great news for anyone hoping to sell their home this spring.
Seasonal patterns can differ somewhat depending on climate and where you are in the country, but generally speaking, spring is the busiest season for home buying and selling. The weather is
pleasant, days are longer and curb appeal is at its peak, making it an ideal home shopping season.
However, one disadvantage for sellers in some markets is housing inventory:
it tends to skyrocket in the spring. So how can you make your home stand out amongst all the others? Here are some tips from the Battle Creek Area Association of Realtors® to help you sell your home for the best price this season.
Clean, clean and clean some more.
It may be cliché, but make sure that your home is ‘spring clean’ throughout the entire selling process. When potential home buyers walk inside, they should see a well-organized, sparklingly clean house. If you can do nothing else, keep floors and windows scrubbed clean, take out trash and recycling frequently and keep any clutter stored and out of the way.
Bring fresh flowers indoors.
Springtime brings fresh flowers which, when brought inside, can be used as low- cost decor and fragrance. Many people prefer natural to artificial scents, making this a perfect staging technique for open houses. Just be aware that some buyers may have allergies, so avoid flowers with high pollen counts like daisies, chrysanthemums or sunflowers.
Improve your curb appeal. How your home looks when buyers walk up to it can be just as important as how it looks when they walk into it. It is important to make sure that your home’s exterior is kept clean and well maintained throughout the season. At the very least, keep the grass trimmed by mowing regularly, make sure your shrubs and flower beds are well- tended and scrub or paint over any stains or chipped paint on your home’s exterior.
let the light in. Take advantage of the longer, warmer days by opening up your windows and brightening up your home. Keep your blinds open and your curtains pulled back to let in as much natural light as possible. If a room doesn’t receive much sunlight, a well-placed mirror can help capture and reflect light from other rooms to brighten a space.
By following a few tips and making a couple of simple improvements, you can make your home more appealing to buyers and hopefully help sell it quickly this spring.
If you are interested in selling or buying a home this spring, contact the Battle Creek Area Association of Realtors® or visit http://bcaar.com to find a Realtor® in our local market.
269-964-7625 www.northpointewoods.org
An Active Senior Living Community
– NorthPointe woods Residents, Peg Prickett –
“I was a cosmetologist in town and
had many of the residents as clients. I love to socialize with my old and new friends.”
700 North Avenue Call for more information
or to schedule a tour.
“Feels like home.”
Battle Creek
34 SCENE 4105 I HEALTH ISSUE