5 Things to Do Now if You Plan to Sell This Spring

Anaheim, CA, Apr 14th, 2015—While spring is still at an arm's length, for those who plan to sell their home this spring season, it's never too early to start preparing. Below are five tips you can tackle now for a smoother sale later on.

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Start packing. “While it may seem crazy to begin packing your home before you've sold it, take advantage of colder, damper climates outside by staying inside and organizing,” suggests Jim Harlan, REALTOR® CENTURY 21 Award. While you may not want to begin boxing items you plan on moving, you can definitely begin tossing old items. Go through your closets, medicine cabinets, storage spaces, basement and attic to make piles to donate and toss, so that by the time your selling season arrives, you will have purged all non-essentials.

Start staging. “A staged home is neat, clutter-free and void of personal mementos,” Jim explains. While there's no need to take down the family photos just yet, clearing out clutter can often be an overwhelming process, so allotting yourself a long amount of time is ideal.

Make a maintenance list. Walk through and around your house and try to view it with fresh eyes. Are your front steps rotting? Missing shingles in your roof? An old water stain on the ceiling? Make a list of these pre-sale to-do's and start to tackle them one by one.

Check your systems. Is your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) up to snuff? Take time to change necessary filters and ensure all is in good standing order. “While you're at it, check your plumbing, smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector to make sure everything is good to go when it comes time to sell,” says Jim.

Make a plan for curb appeal. Spring is a fantastic time for curb appeal. Take a tour of your front yard and devise a plan of attack. Neatened garden beds, a fresh coat of paint on the front door, and even a small outdoor seating area can all make a huge difference to your would-be buyers.

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For more information on selling your home, please contact Jim Harlan at jharlan@century21award.com, (714) 334-7134, or www.Jim-harlan.com

For more real estate information, please contact CENTURY 21 Award at info@century21award.com, (800) 293-1657, or CENTURY 21 Award.

The Top 5 Spring Interior Design Trends

For the winter-weary of us, the spring season is a welcome change. Ring in some spring fever at home with these design tips from the experts at Ace Hardware.

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1. For a trendy kitchen update that won’t break the bank, remove outdated cabinet doors and paint the frames in a crisp white and the interior of the cabinets in a shade of bright green. To make a modern statement, display inexpensive white dishware in the open cabinets.

2. In the world of neutrals, gray walls are still king. To keep this trend chic as the warmer months approach, add artwork and accessories in pastel shades and go for an accent piece of furniture in a high gloss pastel. This is a unique look that will pop against gray walls.

3. Floral patterns and designs will never go out of style and are the perfect complement to the spring season. Bring the look of fresh florals indoors by replacing your existing pillows with this timeless trend for a quick and easy update.

4. Go monochromatic with a smoky-toned color palette. Try layering four shades of the same hue within a room. Choose one color for the walls, a second color for the trim, a third for the ceiling and a final color for a piece of furniture in the space.

5. Utilize color in even the most unlikely of places by painting the inside of your credenza in a springy shade. Add a glass door and display your favorite glass and dishware for a one of a kind way to highlight the bold shade.

“Each year, spring awakens homeowners’ desire to update their homes,” says Nathan Fischer, design expert, Ace Hardware. “Whether they are inspired to add small pops of color, or take on a larger color project for a dramatic result, our tips were selected to inspire and help homeowners achieve a brand new, on trend look within their homes.”

Source: Ace Hardware

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.