One thing that is certain about the seasonal real estate market is that it peaks in the spring. As the grey winter gives way to a lively spring, house hunting season goes into full swing. Call it spring fever, the months of March, April, and May add up to 40% of all house sales for the year according to Freddie Mac. What does this mean for a home seller in the spring? A time to capitalize on the popular sale time and prepare the house to go on the market. Here are 5 tips to make your home move in ready:

1. Clean the clutter- When a potential buyer sees the house for sale, they need to be able to envision themselves living there. A house on the market has to become less personalized to you and more generic to suit the buyer. Especially before an open house, a seller should walk through each room in the house and think about what could be cleaned up, rearranged, or put away in terms of staging. Ideally, the house should be a blank slate so it can be showcased without distractions to the buyers.
   
   
2. Organize and pack your belongings-It may seem too early to start sorting through and organizing your stuff before the sale of the house even takes place, however it is best to be prepared. By packing some of your belongings, you may also have an easier time cleaning the clutter out of the house and preparing it for a deep cleaning. The deep cleaning is a necessary step. Dust and dirt accumulate over time in the house. Make a day out of it and clean the windows, cabinets, and appliances. Take the extra time to vacuum the rugs and dust the house, so it looks and smells fresh and clean. Buy some colorful fresh flowers and use them as centerpieces.
   
   
3. Make small repairs and improvements- Oftentimes, a house seller does not want to spend extra money to repair the house before the sale. Big improvements should be discussed with a real estate professional and considered in the asking price for the house. Small, inexpensive repairs and improvements are an easy way to make the house more attractive to potential buyers. Consider touching up the paint on the walls and/or the trim, and pay special attention to the front door as it is the first thing a buyer sees when entering the house. A fresh coat of paint, some touch up on the hardware, a decoration would spruce up the front door. Another good idea is to let in more light into the house, so replace the light bulbs and add a lamp or two to make sure the house is lit in flattering ways during showings. Finally, the bathrooms and kitchen are often key selling points of the house. Improvements such as caulking the shower and bathtub and replacing the faucet in the kitchen can give a more attractive appearance to these critical spaces.
   
   
4. Do an exterior facelift- If it is possible, invest in a new coat of paint for the exterior of the house which will enhance the appearance of the house. When painting is not an option, hire a pressure washing company or do it yourself to get the dirt and debris off the hard to reach, crevices of the house. This will certainly add instant polish to the property.
   
   
5. Improve curb appeal- As buyers walk up or drive by the home for sale, it must give off the best impression. Some things to consider are: clean up the yard by removing the weeds, debris, and dead leaves. Evaluate the landscaping and mow the lawn. Some ideas are: add sod and fresh grass seeds for greener grass, plant some pretty flowers, and trim the hedges and shrubs. Clean and arrange the outdoor furniture to make sure the outdoor area looks tidy and inviting.

When spring is in the air, real estate sales are hot and there is a lot for a homeowner to do to get the house ready for sale. While the competition is high, following the above tips is a good start to make sure your house stands out from the heap.