Tips for Selling Your Home in Early 2016

As 2015 winds to a close, many homeowners are making plans to sell their home in early 2016.  Whether that means January or May makes a huge difference - after all, January is a bleak and dismal time of year in Minnesota!

Here are a couple of helpful hints if you are planning on selling in 2016 - these are things you can be doing RIGHT NOW to make your life less stressful when it comes time to actually put your home on the market.

• Get those outdoor projects done this fall.  Fall is a great time for exterior projects, such as painting.  Just don't wait too long - if you are painting in November, there is a good chance that paint will no longer be there come springtime.  This will also free you up to work on any interior projects when it's -10 F outside.
• Take exterior photos in the fall.  While the grass is still green and flowers are still in bloom, take your photos now!  Wintertime photos tend to be dull as all you can see is the home and LOTS AND LOTS of snow.
• Get a list of interior projects ready.  When the snow hits, doing any exterior work is going to be nearly impossible.  Get a list of interior projects put together so you have a game plan and are ready to hit the ground running.
• Get your pricing right.  Work with your REALTOR to make sure you will be appropriately priced for your neighborhood and that any projects you plan on doing are worthwhile from an investment standpoint.

This list is far from all-encompassing, but should give you a place to start as you prepare to list your home.  And of course, if you plan on listing while there is still snow on the ground, make sure to keep that front stoop/sidewalk shoveled and full of salt!