As the spring home-selling season rapidly approaches, local Eastern Iowa real estate agent Tim Nye says that homeowners who plan ahead and focus on simple improvements can significantly increase their chances of selling their homes quickly and at a higher price.

With almost three decades of experience in residential real estate, Nye works with a wide range of clients, from first-time buyers to sellers in the mid-range market. He said one of the most important steps homeowners can take before listing their property is to seek professional guidance early on in the process.

“One of the most important things is to meet with a professional right away to get another set of eyes on a property,” Nye said. “Most people don’t really have an idea of what it takes to put a house on the market.”

According to Nye, preparation is critical not only for reducing stress but also for improving how a home performs on the market. He added that many buyers begin searching months before they are ready to purchase, making early planning essential.

“Home buyers start looking about six months before they actually make a decision,” he said. “The key on all of this is advanced preparation as opposed to the stress of putting a house on the market and not being prepared.”

Spring remains one of the busiest times of year for home sales in Iowa. Nye said activity typically ramps up in April and continues through late summer.

“A lot of it has to do with weather, and people making moves once their kids are out of school,” he said. “That’s our prime home-selling season in our market.”

To stand out in a competitive market, Nye emphasized the importance of creating a clean, neutral, and inviting space that allows buyers to envision themselves living in the home. That starts with decluttering and removing overly personal items.

“People have a tendency to not be able to look past that,” he said. “We try to always advise people to basically live differently when they’re selling their home.”

He added that staging is not about just decorating for the current homeowner, but instead appealing to the widest possible range of potential buyers.

“The more people you can appeal to in a home sale, it basically ensures that there’s going to be more people willing to walk in the door and buy it,” Nye said.

When it comes to home updates and repairs, Nye said sellers do not need to invest in major renovations to see results. Instead, smaller, cost-effective improvements often have the greatest impact.

“Paint, in my book, is the number one thing a seller can do to have the least cost and the highest impact,” he said, adding that neutral colors help buyers better picture themselves in the space.

Other worthwhile updates include replacing outdated light fixtures and making minor plumbing improvements. However, Nye says that not all upgrades create a strong return on investment.

“In our market, swimming pools are something a lot of people wouldn’t necessarily pay extra money for,” Nye said, noting Iowa’s limited pool season.

He added that while solar panels offer long-term benefits, many sellers will not make back the full cost of the panels unless the system is already paid off.

The goal for sellers, Nye said, should be to present a move-in-ready home that requires minimal effort from buyers.

“A home that someone can walk into and it’s turnkey is going to stand out.”