Ep. 20 Spring Market Prep: What you Need to Do Now to Win Big🌷

Spring is one of the most competitive—and opportunity-filled—times to sell your home. 

In this episode of Keys to the Coast, Kensie, Kelly, and Sandi break down exactly how to prepare your home for the spring market so you can stand out, attract serious buyers, and maximize your value. And also how to prepare as a buyer to be competitive.

From timing and prep strategies to pricing and common mistakes, this episode is your guide to selling and buying with confidence this season.

📍 Serving West Michigan & the Lakeshore
📲 Thinking about selling? Let’s connect.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:05

Welcome back to Keys to the Coast. I'm Kenzie. And I'm Sandy.

SPEAKER_00 0:09

And I'm Kelly.

SPEAKER_01 0:10

And today we're going to talk about something that we're getting a lot of questions right now, especially since the weather has turned. The spring market and what is going on with the market. A lot of things also going on in the world, the economy. So it's pretty much the main question we're getting. How about you guys? Yes, definitely.

SPEAKER_00 0:27

Yeah, absolutely. It's coming in hot. Even if you're thinking about selling. You know, today we're talking about what you do right now that's going to make a huge difference.

SPEAKER_02 0:38

Now that the weather is nice, it is time when it's sprucing those houses up for sure. Yeah, and when when do you always say is opening day? Oh, I do, don't I? I just left a listing appointment and the people are like, Well, isn't opening day May 1st? Yeah. I'm like, let's beat brush hour.

SPEAKER_01 0:56

Or to the spring real estate market, she's referring to. Yeah. Yeah. So let's break down exactly how to prep your home to sell this spring, if you're thinking about that, and how to set yourself up to stand out and maximize your value. We're also going to kind of touch on what's going on in the market, what's going on with the economy, and what we're seeing that translate into with interest rates.

SPEAKER_00 1:17

So let's just start here.

SPEAKER_01 1:19

Why is spring such a big deal in real estate? And let's say specifically West Michigan, because we can say spring, but if you live in not West Michigan or Michigan, it might be a little bit different. So, Sandy, how would you answer that? Why is spring so important?

SPEAKER_02 1:33

So I think spring is important because obviously school is out and it's now is the time to find a house before just to get settled and do the little projects you want to do to make it yours, but then before the kids start school again.

SPEAKER_01 1:47

Right. And another one is our winters, especially this last one, kind of the biggest obvious reason is we have very varying weather here in Michigan. So we had a rough winter. Wasn't it? I heard or read somebody somewhere that we had the record amount of snowfall this past year. No really from like the 80s.

SPEAKER_00 2:08

No, I don't know the record amount, but the cold, like January.

SPEAKER_01 2:13

No, we did. We had a lot of, I mean it melted and then snow again. And it got more and melted, and yeah, that was just like cold.

SPEAKER_00 2:20

I could be wrong on that.

SPEAKER_01 2:22

I think you are somebody fact check. Um, but yeah, so we had a really rough, rough winter. We had some negative once in the negative 20s one day. So no one likes to move when it's negative 20 or when you have snowstorms. So with spring approaching, warmer weather, it's just an overall better time for the process with moving um and such. Definitely.

SPEAKER_02 2:45

Now is the time. The homes that win in the spring are the ones that will actually they feel turnkey, clean, bright, and well thought out. So I think the big thing is is to start doing the sprucing, the power washing, which actually we're having the office power wash next week. Yes, so we're already doing spring cleaning here, those deep cleans, and I love it because I actually it's a great time just to declutter and just go through and um call up Love Inc. to have them pick up all of your unwanted items. Yes, less is more.

SPEAKER_00 3:22

It's really a combination of timing and emotion, you know, because these buyers are coming out of the winter, uh, which again we had a brutal winter. Inventory starts increasing, and people really are ready to feel that change.

SPEAKER_01 3:35

Right. Yeah, you know, and there's more inventory, that's a big thing in springtime. Again, with people not wanting to move in winter, we always see historically an increase or a tick up in inventory in the spring. Right. So you have some more options as a buyer to more motivated buyers. And more motivated buyers. So let's then switch to sellers because that's kind of what we're targeting. What does that mean though, when there's more competition?

SPEAKER_02 4:03

Mm-hmm. So that is why we need to do all that prepping and preparing because it seems like the houses that are just turnkey ready and that everything is done and have set it up, show like the lawn chairs are out, you have those areas that show emotion that they can just come and sit and enjoy. I think that is a huge draw, especially for the people that I've been showing. Cause none of them have time for projects right now. Right. So the less that there is to do, the more that house is number 10 on their list. Right. Like the top 10.

SPEAKER_01 4:40

So kind of bouncing around, but let's just quick talk about a couple things that they can do to prep their house for the spring market. So, what are some things that we always tell our sellers to do right now as it's starting to get warm? Besides declutter. Yeah, declutter. She already talked about power washing. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 4:59

Yeah, there's so many just yeah, just going through and I feel like just giving sometimes a refresh all those paint touch-ups.

SPEAKER_01 5:07

Mm-hmm. You're stuck in your house all winter and you can get some dings. Yes. So that's uh always a smart idea too. Just get the cot gone out in the paint can, do some touch-ups. Landscaping is huge. You always have to remember when the buyers pull up to the house, first impressions are so important. Yes. You buy your home very emotionally most of the time. So make sure that you have a great first impression. Good curb appeal. Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_00 5:32

Yeah, we're gonna do, you know, our photos are top of the line. And so when people see us online, you know, we get all the feedback that things are amazing. And so we get them from the internet to the front of the house, and we it's a win or loss in that first two minutes. So true. Somebody pulls up.

SPEAKER_02 5:50

Definitely. And your front door matters more than you think.

SPEAKER_00 5:54

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 5:55

Yeah. I know we had a listing recently that had a very bright colored front door, and we painted it white, and we not saying that that was the only reason that we got offers, but we ended up getting two offers the next week for the home. So that's funny.

SPEAKER_00 6:10

You win them at the road.

SPEAKER_01 6:12

Yeah. Another thing that's always important too to prepare your home is just to make sure it's clean, depersonalize, declutter, and it just clean up. You know, you'd be amazed what dust bunnies that you can accumulate during the winter months, too. So just getting a nice, fresh, clean. Completely. That's great ideas.

SPEAKER_00 6:30

I remember one of the first walkthroughs with Sandy. Um, when I joined the team, she went through the whole house with, and she does this for everybody still to this day, but went through the whole house and uh literally said that we live in it one way and we sell it another way.

SPEAKER_02 6:44

So, you know, yeah, we made them put their coffee pot away. Yeah, and their toaster ovens, and I wanted nothing on the counter. Correct, yeah. So like people have to see where they would have room to bake their cookies, and so yeah.

SPEAKER_00 7:00

So that's it is it's amazing how much you can accumulate.

SPEAKER_01 7:04

I know.

SPEAKER_00 7:05

Yeah, basements are just chucks.

SPEAKER_01 7:07

Shelves. Yeah. I consider myself not like a minimalist, but you know, I I don't like to keep too many things. But oh my goodness, when we moved, I was like, why do I have 900 throw pillows and all these little trinkets and things? Yeah, goodwill and a lot of my friends got to oh my goodness. I was like, I need to get rid of this stuff. But yeah, yeah, also a really great time to, as you're switching out your summer to winter clothes, go through some stuff. It will help with your move when there's less to move.

SPEAKER_02 7:38

You know, another thing we just did today with uh people that I was looking at their house. Uh I told them to change out their light fixture. I thought, I mean, sometimes just those like a faucet or light fixture can change. Yep. Just the whole look.

SPEAKER_01 7:55

Yeah. So another thing to do when you're getting ready to list your home is to call an agent because we will be able to walk you through those simple steps. And you know, say, hey, let's switch out this light fixture or even let's move this couch around because it helps the room feel more open. There's so many things that go into prepping a listing or prepping a home to get ready for the market. So that's what we can do room by room for you. Yes.

SPEAKER_00 8:20

No, it's a great call. We uh have all been trained in the staging and Insanity's done a great job of kind of like um just the overall teaching of okay, this is what we're gonna do for you. And like you said, right down to a light fixture or a faucet. Um, but yeah, I've even had to have those hard conversations where it's like we really need to have all this grout, you know, redone or cleaned up, or we are gonna lose money based on how this looks. And that's right, exactly. It's a tactful conversation, but it is it's one that people need to hear.

SPEAKER_01 8:50

They appreciate it. Yep. Another thing too that you know we don't do in every house, but sometimes it's case by case is a good idea to do is a pre-inspection. Sometimes, you know, if if you're like, hey, we don't know what is going on with this or that, we can always do a pre-listing inspection because sometimes we don't want to wait for the buyers to find issues. You know, we want to make sure that we have them handled first or at least we know it's gonna come up, and so then we can tackle those things before they come up.

SPEAKER_02 9:21

But does the trust and apps prevent deals from falling apart?

SPEAKER_00 9:25

Yeah, if you know something needs attention, we can handle it now rather than last minute if a cash deal is coming or something that's gonna close extremely fast. Even with lending today being roughly 20 days, 20, 25 days for close, it um if we can take care of that some of those things up up front where we just don't have to jump through those hurdles at the last, I guess we'd say the ninth hour at the last minute. So it's a huge uh way to get your house out in front of everybody else.

SPEAKER_01 9:55

So kind of overall, just you know, for a seller if you're prepping for spring, just really clean, depersonalize, call us. We can help you with every we have the best vendors, the best partnerships too. So if you need a cleaner, if you need a painter, if you need anything, we have uh some amazing people that we trust. And I only recommend ever people who I would use personally, so you know that we're giving you quality people. So kind of let's switch now to buyers. If you're looking to buy in the spring, what should you do? Number one, you've probably heard us say this a thousand times.

SPEAKER_00 10:30

Keep saying it.

SPEAKER_01 10:31

But talk to a lender and talk to an agent. Um, the spring market can be very competitive for buyers in this market, specifically as of right now, April 22, 2026. We're starting to see more multiple offers out there. We're starting to see more competition. So, as a buyer, if you really want to be set up, you know, to be successful, then get pre-approved, get your financials in order. So we are ready to write that offer as soon as you find the one. And we'll guide you through this process. So just call it. Very easy. So let's talk strategy because preparation for both buyers and sellers is really only half the equation.

SPEAKER_00 11:06

Pricing is everything in this market.

SPEAKER_01 11:08

It is. That is the most important thing. We're in a tricky market right now, I feel. You know, it's not leaning buyer or seller, in my opinion. I think it's all about pricing.

SPEAKER_02 11:20

Well, it's because we have inventory and then it goes. So then you have no inventory, and then they lost one, so now we're bidding higher on the next.

SPEAKER_01 11:27

And we're still seeing some homes sit on the market, also. Right. So that's why I think pricing is is so important. I think we hear a lot of buyers and sellers saying, you know, let's test the market. Um, testing the market doesn't exist.

SPEAKER_02 11:42

The goal isn't to test the market, it's to position your home to attract the strong interest immediately. Because that's what's going to get you the best offer.

SPEAKER_01 11:50

Right. And that's how you create the momentum and you know, potentially multiple offers. We are seeing the multiple offers, like I said. So if you price accurately, then you're going to end up netting more in the end.

SPEAKER_00 12:02

Yeah, I think marketing really matters also. The the photos, the videos, the exposure, the way that an agent gets it out to multiple people. We can we're going to cast that wide net and draw in as many uh potential buyers as possible.

SPEAKER_02 12:16

That's where working with the right team makes a huge difference. Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_01 12:23

So, you know, obviously the big question that we ask every Monday when we meet with our lenders um is what are rates looking like right now? And I know that's kind of what a lot of buyers are are looking at. So, Kelly.

SPEAKER_00 12:36

April 22 six and a quarter conventional style loan, a very common loan here in West Michigan.

SPEAKER_02 12:43

So we see it with five percent down all the way up through fifty percent down on and it is the season, so it's probably gonna stay at that sixes for the summer.

SPEAKER_00 12:55

Yeah, that's what we're we're being told that's what the projections look like.

SPEAKER_02 12:59

I have so many people that keep wanting to wait for it to go down or just go under six, but two and a half, three percent.

SPEAKER_01 13:08

Right. And if it's the right home, you know, it a lot of people think that, but when we say the timing is timing is right when it's right for you. I always say date the rate, marry the house. So let's quickly hit a few mistakes that we see every spring.

SPEAKER_00 13:23

Waiting way too long to start.

SPEAKER_01 13:26

Pricing right out of the gate. Yep, and underestimating your presentation.

SPEAKER_00 13:30

Buyers are so savvy right now, uh, especially my younger buyers. Yeah, they'll question me on everything. Chat says this.

SPEAKER_01 13:38

Chat says that is so true.

SPEAKER_00 13:41

I love it.

SPEAKER_01 13:42

Yeah, keeps you sharp.

SPEAKER_00 13:45

They know what they want, and the questions that we're getting asked.

SPEAKER_01 13:48

The tech savvy ones where they're like, well, Chat GBT told me. And I'm like, okay, be very specific with your Chat GBT questions though. Because if you're just saying the real estate market in general, like the real estate market in Florida or Tennessee, is very different than the West Michigan. So I'm like, these are great questions to be asking, chat. I love that you're utilizing the technology. Make sure you're saying in you know, West Michigan real estate.

SPEAKER_00 14:12

So yeah, current stuff. So it'll always give you positive affirmation, also of what you're asking. It's really you're so sorry, Mackenzie.

SPEAKER_01 14:21

That's a great question to ask. Great thinking.

SPEAKER_00 14:23

I'm like, thank you. Should I bid 50,000 under this? Oh, and you should this is why we think it's a good idea. Oh, it's that is true. And then the other cool funny thing that I thought of, and Sandy will uh know this well, is when we were, you know, kind of starting, it was my dad says I gotta look at 30 houses. We always had the dads come here. Yeah, and now it's chat says this instead of dad's.

SPEAKER_01 14:47

Yeah, that's the new thing, chat information. Yep. So it's a great tool, just keep in mind to talk to humans also.

SPEAKER_00 14:55

Yes, it's not the be all and all no.

SPEAKER_01 14:58

So what do we got coming up? Or what has happened? Guys, we've been so busy.

SPEAKER_00 15:02

So listen, I watch Sandy get here.

SPEAKER_01 15:05

Oh my goodness.

SPEAKER_00 15:06

She she doesn't sleep at night, she gets here at like 7 a.m. and she's running till 9, 10, 11 o'clock.

SPEAKER_02 15:12

And these are long days, but I love it. Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_00 15:15

Yeah, it's adrenaline. And so we have a lot of stuff in play, and I think that's why the the kind of the gap here. Yeah, thank you.

SPEAKER_01 15:25

We also sell real estate full time. So it's been crazy, but we missed coming on here and just getting to chat with you guys. And we try to I try to always listen to questions I'm getting asked when we're out selling real estate. No, I love it. Of like, hey, this would be a good idea to talk about. And yeah, the the market rates and well, what can I do has been one that popped up. So we wanted to touch on that. And when. Yeah, and when. Yep. Yep. Or is summer a better time? And we always say opening day, Sandy.

SPEAKER_00 15:58

We don't we don't care about October. Okay, it's opening day. We care about May.

SPEAKER_01 16:01

We've also been super busy with um our family. We just welcome. Oh my goodness.

SPEAKER_02 16:07

Bye. Baby Cove. Newest grandson.

unknown 16:10

Seven.

SPEAKER_01 16:11

Can anybody believe it?

SPEAKER_02 16:13

Yeah, finally. I used to buy blue.

SPEAKER_00 16:15

I didn't know Tyler had it. 12 ounces.

SPEAKER_02 16:20

He is the cutest thing ever. Dark hair, dark eyes. He's so adorable. His skin color is perfect. I know I said that to Marissa the other day. I'm like, he is just adorable. This perfect little Alex gets. Until the next feed. I know.

SPEAKER_01 16:40

He's so cute. So we're so excited to welcome Baby Cove into our family and our little real estate family.

SPEAKER_00 16:47

Also, we're gonna get him signed up to start selling here in about 18 years.

SPEAKER_01 16:51

You can get him trained now. And super excited for a lot of really cool things happening in our community. Inside of our office, we can hear quite a bit of construction going on down the road. Like tearing down the old bank building. Yes. Yep. I know. I was on a call the other day and my client was like, What is going on?

SPEAKER_00 17:12

There's this construction, it's okay.

SPEAKER_01 17:14

Don't worry about it.

SPEAKER_00 17:15

Yep. And then do you want to tell a little bit about the spring?

SPEAKER_02 17:18

Yes. And we are gearing up for our client appreciation event.

SPEAKER_01 17:24

To spoil, yes, our clients. Yeah. We partner with an amazing greenhouse in the area, and our all of our clients get to come hang out with us and get their flat of flowers.

SPEAKER_02 17:33

Yeah. And face painting and cornhole and some fun games for the kids. Yeah. Painting the pot.

SPEAKER_00 17:40

And there's always donuts, so that's uh Kelly's and coffee. Yeah. Maybe some chocolate milk.

SPEAKER_01 17:46

Yeah. No, we have a cute coffee truck this time. I'm so excited about that.

SPEAKER_00 17:52

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 17:53

So we're so excited to spend some time with you guys. And hopefully.

SPEAKER_00 17:56

Mother's Day weekend.

SPEAKER_01 17:57

Yeah. Hopefully, as a couple of you know, it's been raining for the last few years. So let's all pray for some truck. Yeah. But regardless, we'll have fun. It's great. The farmer's market is opening up soon. I'm excited about that. My favorite.

SPEAKER_02 18:11

I can't. Yep.

SPEAKER_01 18:13

Our Facebook page, too, guys, is a great resource because uh our amazing social media girl posts what's going on in the weekend every Friday. So if you want to know what's going on locally, check that out. Definitely. Um lots of good information. Extra information, events, new listings, all the things. Price reductions. Price reductions. Yep. All those things. So to wrap up, if you're ever thinking about selling this spring or buying, now is the time to start planning.

SPEAKER_00 18:41

Um, we would love to help you walk through exactly what makes sense for your home.

SPEAKER_02 18:45

From prep to pricing to marketing, we are here every step of the way.

SPEAKER_01 18:50

Yes, please reach out to us anytime. Uh and obviously, as always, if you found this episode helpful, be sure to share it with someone who's thinking about making a move this year. And I love feedback. So if you guys have any questions or if there's a topic that you would like us to talk about or any uh questions again that you have for Sandy or Kelly or anybody else, please DM us and we'd be happy to do an episode on those.

SPEAKER_00 19:14

So thankful for all of you.

SPEAKER_01 19:15

Thank you.