- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Sellers Must Prepare for Picky Buyers as Home Buying Season Heats Up
Realtor Benson Verbel offers tips for sellers to make their homes stand out in a competitive market
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
As winter turns to spring, the home-buying season is starting to pick up. While inventory is expected to increase by around 33%, the number of new buyers will also rise by a similar amount. This means homes will sell faster, but sellers will need to ensure their properties are in top condition to appeal to picky buyers. Realtor Benson Verbel advises sellers to declutter, service HVAC systems, touch up paint, and make other small improvements to increase buyer appeal and potentially see an 8-15% price increase and 40% faster sale.
Why it matters
The spring and summer home-buying season is a crucial time for both buyers and sellers in Northern Colorado. With inventory still low compared to historical norms, sellers will have an opportunity to get top dollar, but they'll need to make sure their homes are move-in ready to stand out in a competitive market. Buyers, meanwhile, will face more competition but may be able to take advantage of slightly lower prices earlier in the season.
The details
According to Verbel, the current month's supply of inventory in Larimer and Weld Counties is just 2.5 months, but this is expected to rise to 3-4 months by the peak of the summer selling season. While this represents a 33% increase in homes on the market, the number of new buyers will also rise by a similar amount. As a result, homes are expected to sell about 40% faster, going under contract in 40-50 days on average compared to the current 70-80 days. Verbel advises sellers to get their homes in top condition through decluttering, HVAC maintenance, fresh paint, deep cleaning, and landscaping improvements. These small upgrades can lead to an 8-15% price increase and a 40% faster sale.
- The home-buying season typically heats up from March to July/August.
- The month's supply of inventory is expected to rise from 2.5 months currently to 3-4 months at the peak of the summer selling season.
- Homes currently take an average of 70-80 days to go under contract, but this is expected to drop to 40-50 days during the summer.
The players
Benson Verbel
A Realtor at NextHome Foundations, the 2025 President of the Greeley Area Realtor Association, and the President of the Colorado Association of Realtors Young Professional Network.
What they’re saying
“Homes that are well-maintained, updated, and move-in ready sell much more quickly than those with deferred maintenance.”
— Benson Verbel, Realtor (greeleytribune.com)
What’s next
Sellers should take the next few months to conduct a home condition audit and make any necessary improvements to ensure their homes appeal to picky buyers when the market heats up in the spring and summer.
The takeaway
As the home-buying season ramps up, sellers in Northern Colorado will need to be proactive in preparing their homes to stand out in a competitive market. By making small but impactful upgrades, sellers can potentially see an 8-15% price increase and a 40% faster sale.
