Never mind that the average high temperature may not reach 45 degrees for the rest of the month. March 20 marks the spring equinox and the start of the spring selling season in Central New Hampshire. Whenever you list your New Hampshire home for sale, advance preparation is a key component of a successful sale. Thinking about selling your home? Use these tips to prep your New Hampshire home for sale inside and out.

Enhance Curb Appeal

When you're getting your home ready to sell, one of the most important steps you can take to attract buyers is to boost curb appeal. The old saying about never getting a second chance to make a first impression holds true for real estate. Your home may have every top-rated amenity on the inside, but homebuyers may pass by if outside appearances are neglected. Here are 5 tips for improving your home's curb appeal.

Banish Outdoor Clutter

Having a clutter-free house doesn't just apply to the interior of your home. Step outside and tour your property from a buyer's perspective. Your goal is to help prospective buyers visualize themselves in your property. Are you seeing tired lawn furniture, unused recreation equipment, and random garden tools? Remove outdoor clutter to make your yard look larger and more inviting.

Repair and Repaint

Check the exterior of your home for cracks or splits in exterior siding, windows, and door frames. Repair or replace trim, and then repaint. Don't neglect porches, railings, and decks. While you're at it, restore exterior doors with a fresh coat of paint and new hardware. Especially if they're corroded, entry door hardware can look outdated and unappealing. Need help choosing a color for your front door? Check out this gallery of 28 color ideas from bold turquoise to stately red.

Install a New Mailbox and House Numbers

A brand-new mailbox and set of house numbers is an easy DIY fix that can make your home more attractive—and easier to find. Choose house numbers that complement the style of your home. If your mailbox is still in good shape, but is supported by a post that's leaning to one side, take the time to install a full replacement.

Refresh Exterior Lights

Lighting designs go in and out of fashion. Give your home an updated look by replacing or adding exterior lights. Attract eco-conscious homebuyers by choosing solar or energy-efficient lighting. Be sure to coordinate exterior fixtures. While they don't all have to match, they should have one or more unifying features like color, material, or styling. Another option to consider is getting smart outdoor lights that the homeowner can control using an app installed on a mobile device. Check with your Peabody & Smith agent to ask if this is a smart investment when listing your home for sale.

Neaten the Landscaping

A well-maintained lawn, manicured shrubs, and fresh mulch will add to the appeal of any home. Prune bushes and shrubs and remove dead leaves and weeds from flower beds. Lay a carpet of fresh mulch, and be sure to use a uniform color for a pulled-together look. Restore the lawn with seed or sod. Give extra attention to hardscaping like patios, walls, paths, and walkways. These features should be in picture-perfect condition. Today's homebuyers look for homes in move-in condition. Lastly, walk the perimeter of your property to clear out deadfall branches and repair any fencing. For more ideas and tips, check out our White Mountains Home Selling Guide.

Deep Clean Your Home

Whether or not you list your home in time for the spring selling season, it's important to deep clean the interior. Be sure your action plan includes the following steps.

Eliminate Clutter

Put this all-important item first on your list. Getting rid of clutter is essential in several ways. First of all, clearing clutter exposes surfaces to make them easier to clean. Second, clutter-free rooms will make your house look larger. And third, your goal is for buyers to visualize themselves in the home you're listing. Eliminating personal items like photographs and collectibles will speed that process. Resist the urge to move items to the attic or basement. It's important to show off the space in those important storage areas. One idea to consider is renting a temporary storage unit where you can safely store possessions you plan to keep and move to your next home.

Dust All Rooms Thoroughly

Next, thoroughly dust each room in your home. Don't forget the attic, basement, and garage. Start at the top of the room, removing dust from fans, ceilings, and high shelves. Once everything has been dusted, use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust that has collected on the floor. Give floors a deep cleaning after the dust has been removed from the room.

Wash Windows and Window Screens

Spring is the perfect time to clean the windows in your home. Remove all screens from your windows and clean them with warm water and mild soap. Wash both sides of the windows with an appropriate cleaner and wipe dry. You should also take this opportunity to launder the window treatments in your home. Once everything is clean, reinstall screens and hang window treatments back up.

Clean Rugs, Carpets, and Floors

Clean rugs and carpeting are essential when you put your home on the market. Begin by vacuuming thoroughly and treating any stains with an appropriate solvent. Next, use a carpet shampooer to clean all of the carpet in the home. Alternatively, you can hire a professional company to clean your rugs and carpets. Hard-surface floors should be cleaned and, if appropriate, polished.

Make Surfaces Shine

Use liquid polishes, creams, or paste to polish and shine all of the metal hardware in your home. Evaluate all surfaces and use an appropriate cleaner to make them sparking clean. If you've eliminated clutter, it will be much easier to spruce up surfaces with a quick cleaning in advance of a showing or an open house.

Stage Your Home

Your Peabody and Smith Realtor is an excellent resource on how to stage your home. Home staging makes your property look more appealing in listing photos, but that's just the start. In a recent National Association of Realtors study on home staging, 77 percent of buyers' agents reported that staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home. The NAR study also reported that staging a home can increase the dollar value of the home as much as 10 percent. As reported by about 40 percent of sellers' agents surveyed in the report, staging a home greatly decreases the amount of time the home is on the market. Check out our blog post on Home Staging Facts and Myths for more details.