If you plan to sell this spring, a strategy will save you time and money. In our experience, three things put you in a better position: a strong drive-up, a bright first room, and one flexible space that proves the home fits real life. The rest is good order and follow-through.
What To Do First
- Wash and tidy what buyers see from the street.
- Freshen the main living area so it photographs and shows well.
- Make one space clearly useful—office, guest room, or reading corner.
Outside The House
- Wash winter off. Power-wash the walk, steps, railings, and siding. Clean the exterior glass. A clean exterior reads “well kept.”
- Edge and mulch. Trim shrubs, clear the last leaves, and lay a fresh layer of mulch so early growth stands out.
- Add early color. Pansies, tulips, and daffodils handle cold snaps and look good in photos. Local standbys: Stauffers of Kissel Hill and Flower Wagon.
- Refresh the entry. New doormat, visible house numbers, polished hardware, and a quick touch-up on the door if it’s tired.
- Check it at dusk. Replace dim bulbs and be sure the path is lit. Many drive-bys happen after work.
Why it matters: Good drive-up earns the first “yes.” It brings more showings and sets a better tone before anyone reaches the front door.
Inside The House
- Deep clean beats new décor. Floors, baseboards, switches, appliances, and windows. If time is tight, schedule a one-time crew such as The Cleaning Authority – Lancaster or Merry Maids of Lancaster.
- Pack early. Clear counters, thin bookshelves, and remove about half the items from closets. Space shows better than storage.
- Small updates with outsized effect. Swap yellow bulbs for daylight LEDs. Replace one obviously dated light or faucet per level. Change the five most-touched
cabinet pulls. - Show one flexible space. A real work area, a guest room, or a small reading corner. Empty corners look unfinished; purpose is reassuring.
Why it matters: Buyers are picturing their life in your rooms. Your job is to remove friction and make that picture clear.
Why Spring Helps Sellers Here
- Buyers are active. Plans are made, tax refunds arrive, and summer moves are easier on families.
- Homes show better. Greener yards and longer days improve photos and evening showings.
- Timing cooperates. A spring listing often leads to an early-summer closing, which keeps schedules in better order.
A One-Week Plan That Gets It Done
Here is the schedule we use when time is tight. It is direct and it works.
- Day 1: Walk the exterior like a buyer and make a porch-to-fence punch list.
- Day 2: Windows and wash. If ladders are a concern, hire it out.
- Day 3: Declutter the entry, living room, and kitchen—the rooms that set the tone.
- Day 4: Paint touch-ups. Where colors compete, bring them to one calm tone.
- Day 5: Lighting and hardware. Daylight LEDs throughout; update one fixture or faucet per level.
- Day 6: Edge beds, mulch, add early color; set two chairs on the patio or deck.
- Day 7: Deep clean, style the flexible space, and move storage bins off-site.
Local Help We Trust
- Plants & supplies: Stauffers of Kissel Hill, Flower Wagon
- One-time deep cleans: The Cleaning Authority – Lancaster or Merry Maids of Lancaster
- Painter, handyman, or stager: Tell us your budget and timeline – we’re glad to point you to reliable local pros.
If you’d like a ten-minute walk-through of priorities for your house, we’re glad to help.
We’ll tell you what to do first, what to skip, and what can wait—no pressure, just a Lancaster-smart plan. Contact the Jeremy Ganse Team.
*Blog submitted from Jeremy Ganse, Realtor
Jeremy Ganse, Realtor
RE/MAX SmartHub Realty
930 Red Rose Court
Lancaster, PA 17601
717-208-4240 (Cell)
717-208-4444 (Office)
877-271-5520 (Toll free)
