By Brian Bean & Tim Hardin

When spring has sprung,smart homeowners in Riverside, CA, and the Inland Empire prepare for Real Estate Season.

Here are some secrets for homeowners to position themselves for the spring selling season and attract the best buyer.

Get a Jump-Start

If you want to move this summer, you’ll need to start now.

Here’s a simple exercise to plan your timeline: Pick the desired date to be settled in your new home. For example, let’s say July 1, just in time to throw a great holiday barbecue for friends.

A home-sale transaction commonly takes 45 days, giving time for mortgage processing and any problems that might emerge during inspections. So you would need an accepted contract on your new home around May 15.

With the low inventory, it will take two to four weeks minimum to find a home. But with the high competition, your home sale will need to be in escrow with a buyer before you can secure a to buy.

Expect two weeks to attract a buyer for your home. That means an April 1 start date to list your home.

And if you have “projects” to get your home ready (painting, decluttering, etc.), that puts you even earlier.

Price it Right

Pricing a home too high can lead to stagnation. If your home sits on the market too long, buyers will avoid it, assuming the home has a defect.

Pricing it too low to generate a buyer frenzy can backfire. What if you don’t get multiple offers that bid the property up? Then you’re stuck at a low list price.

Make it Shine

Help your home make the best first impression. You may not get a second chance.

Start with the clutter. Clear off flat surfaces, take down all but a few wall hangings and remove excess furniture. Fewer items make each room look larger.

Of all home improvements, none has a better return on investment than new carpet and new paint. Neutral colors are best. (A “carpet allowance” never wowed a buyer.)

Don’t get caught up in the “as-is” trap. Fix problems before you go on the market. If buyers see a lot of required maintenance, they will assume there are major problems lurking. And their offer will be lower … or never come.

(Need a referral to a contractor or handyman? Call 951-778-9700 today and we’ll refer you to one).

Want to know what your house is worth? Call us today at 951-778-9700 for a 10-minute consultation.

Brian Bean and Tim Hardin, owners of The Dream Big Real Estate Team at Realty ONE Group Champions, are Certified Homeowner Advocates.They can be reached at 951-778-9700,PE@DreamBigRealEstate.comor at http://www.DreamBigRealEstate.com. BRE #01346382 and #01771911

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