Now that the holiday season is over, are you thinking about selling your Lake Nacimiento home this year? You might think that spring and summer are the months to sell, but as your Central California real estate agent, I’m here to tell you that right now is an excellent time to sell!

As this KCM Crew article explains, mortgage rates are predicted to go up by all four major reporting institutions. That means that if you want to move up to a bigger or better home, or you’d like to relocate, now is the time to do it, while mortgage rates are still low! By moving up now, you’ll save yourself a lot of money in the long run.

Another reason to sell now is because buyers are eager to buy. Lake Nacimiento homebuyers want to beat the rising mortgage rates too, so serious buyers are out searching the Central California real estate market right now. This means that your Lake Nacimiento listing should gain fast interest from serious Central California homebuyers.

So, how do you begin preparing for a home sale? Here are some tips to get you started:

• Eliminate clutter. After you put away the holiday décor and find a place for all of the gifts you received, keep going. Work through each room, one at a time, getting rid of anything that you no longer need that is just taking up space. Find somewhere to donate it, sell it online, recycle it, or throw it away.

• Remove valuables. As you declutter your home, notice anything that is of high monetary value, or anything that is breakable and meaningful to you. Take jewelry, collectibles, money and the sort to a safety deposit box, and china, crystal and other breakables should be safely stored away.

• Stage your home. Once the clutter is gone, you want to stage your home in a way that makes Central California homebuyers want to move in and live there. Make it look move-in-ready. Set the table with an attractive centerpiece and matching dish sets. Decorate the fireplace mantel. Paint the walls with neutral colors. Place a book with a bookmark on the coffee table.

• Have spare bins ready. Sometimes showings are scheduled unexpectedly, so have spare baskets or bins to pick up miscellaneous items, such as dishes, newspapers, pet items or toys. However, you want to keep your home as clean and tidy as possible all the time, so this last-minute cleanup is minimal.

For more home-selling preparation tips, check out this Realty Times article. If you have questions, or you’re ready to begin the home-selling process, contact me, your Lake Nacimiento real estate agent! I am always available to answer your questions and to help you through the process.

From Grace Borzini
grace@oakshoresrealty.com