Are you planning to sell your house this Spring? It seems so far away as we huddle inside during the colder winter months, but it will sneak up on you. There are so many things to do before you list your house, so we recommend that you get started chipping away at that to-do list now. Here are 5 things that you can start now to have your home show ready by Spring.

#1 – Get a head start on packing

Our number one takeaway when we leave pre-listing consultations is for the seller to declutter and depersonalize their current home. Buyers are concerned with storage space in closets, basements and garages, so it’s time to clear out those areas and get a head start on packing. We recommend that you start with out-of-season clothing to clear out space in closets, leaving 1/3 of the closet empty. It’s also a good time to pack, sell or donate any extra pieces of furniture that is not currently used. We accumulate so much stuff in the years that we live in our homes, and it will take some time to move it all out. Take this time now to get a good start on organization and clearing out those items that will not make the move.

#2 – Add a fresh coat of paint to your interior walls

One of the most cost-effective updates to your home is to apply a fresh coat of paint to your interior walls. It’s important to remember to present your home to appeal to a large audience of buyers, so it’s best to choose a light, neutral color for broader appeal. It’s particularly important if you currently have dark or bold wall colors or designs or patterns in your home. And even if you don’t have bold walls, paint can hide the years of wear and tear on your walls and can neutralize existing odors and make the home appear well-cared for. Below are some lovely examples of using light and neutral paint colors.

#3 – Repair any small maintenance issues, like leaky faucets, loose door knobs and cracked molding

We never recommend that a homeowner undergo a huge renovation before selling, but it’s important that your home is in good working order, with particularly attention to kitchens and bathrooms. The amount of preparation for selling your home can add up, so now is the time to address any maintenance issues that you’ve been putting off. In your kitchens and bathrooms, fix any leaking faucets or running toilets and make sure that all the cabinet doors and knobs are tight and functional. Spend time to caulk and repair cracked molding and patch and paint nail holes or other imperfections in your walls and ceilings. Even small simple maintenance issues will make a potential buyer see dollar signs so knock out the repairs now or even hire in help to get them off your list.

#4 – Clear out gutters and prepare exterior landscaping for spring

The exterior of your home is just as important when you list your house for sale. Buyers make that first impression of your home within seconds of arriving, so focus some of your current energies on the exterior as well. One important action to prep your house is to remove any leaves and debris from your gutters. Not only will you avoid other more costly issues down the road with this task, but again you will be showing those buyers that your home is well maintained. If you haven’t yet removed fallen leaves and cut down any overgrown shrubbery, do it now.

#5 – Confirm that all lightbulbs are working and consistent throughout

Functional and consistent lighting is essential when listing your home. It’s important both in listing photos as well as when buyers come to view your property in person. We are oftentimes unaware or simply ignore all the burned-out bulbs in our homes. Take the time now to walk through each room and to replace and bulbs that are not working. It’s also important to make sure that the lighting is consistent in each room. We recommend that sellers use soft white light in both their ceiling lighting and in lamps.