It’s official. According to two out of three groundhogs, one in Pennsylvania and two in Ohio, spring will be arriving early this year. For those of you thinking about listing your house this spring, now is a good time to start considering the things you will need to do.

Working on the inside is a good place to start, while it’s still so cold outside. Some may have more to do than others. If you are a pack rat, get serious about what is really needed and what can get pitched. If you start mulling over the idea in terms of the whole house, stop right there – simply start with the closets and then move to the rooms.

Most people have three categories: can’t do without, maybe I can get rid of it and gone. The maybe pile is usually the one you will want to plan your garage sale around or donate to your favorite charity. Once this is done, you may find that the “can’t do without” pile has a better place to go. This will help with de-cluttering the home.

You may even find you have enough room to put drop cloths down and paint. A fresh paint job always makes a home look clean and bright. Go with neutral colors, but this doesn’t necessarily mean white or cream. Realtors can usually give you some suggestions or put you in contact with a professional interior designer or stager. These professionals can be very helpful with the finishing touches.

Depending on your budget, you may want to invest in some window treatments. This can be inexpensive if you know where to shop and can get a little creative.

If you start planning now, you will find yourself outside when spring comes, hosting a garage sale or working on that curb appeal – and ready to sell your home!