Getting your house ready before you list it will help you sell faster and for more money. Improving how your home appears is often the first step many sellers take. Fortunately, most of it is relatively inexpensive.
Before putting the for-sale sign on your front lawn, you want to get your homes for sale in the best selling condition. Here’s what to do before selling your house.
1. Sell your house with a real estate agent
Choosing the right real estate agent is essential to getting ready to sell your home. An experienced real estate agent will keep up with market trends and comparable research homes for sale in your area. They book your showings and create the all-important listing that will allow your buyer to find your house. Don’t be afraid to interview different realtors before making your choice.
Ask about their expertise in your neighbourhood, connections to potential buyers, and marketing strategies. You need to trust your chosen realtor and feel comfortable working with them.
2. Decide if updates are necessary
A knowledgeable real estate agent is the best person to talk to about potentially updating parts of your house. They will advise you on which updates will increase the home’s value and which are not generally needed. Your timeline, budget and when you intend to list will also be factors to consider.
3. Do necessary repairs
It’s time to fix all the little things you haven’t gotten around to. Every unfixed problem will translate into a lower offer. Look for split tiles, cracked windows, and stained or scratched flooring inside the house.
Watch for loose handles and burnt-out light bulbs, too. Outside check for things like missing shingles and broken deck or fence railings. If you have any DIY projects in limbo, it’s time to finish them.
4. Create curb appeal
Make sure the outside of your home is tidy and well-kept. Wash the exterior of the house. Repaint the front door a welcoming colour and fix any cracks in the driveway or patio. Cut the grass regularly, edge the paths and sidewalks, trim your hedges, and plant some annuals in the gardens for colour.
5. Deep clean the house
Every house needs a good deep clean to give the impression that it is move-in ready. Also, a clean home will always give the impression that the house is well maintained. It is important to get into every nook and cranny. The best way to go about a deep clean is to start at the top (light fixtures and ceiling fans) and work your way down to the floors.
Scrub the bathrooms and shampoo any carpets or rugs. Don’t forget to clean the windows. The clean glass allows more natural light and will go a long way in brightening your house.
6. Declutter the house
Buyers may have a difficult time seeing past clutter. Take the opportunity to eliminate all the items you don’t want to move with you. Donate clothes, toys, and unwanted books. Don’t forget to declutter your closets, drawers, and cupboards as well; buyers will be opening every door in the house to see what is behind them.
7. Depersonalize the house
Buyers want to visualize themselves and their loved ones in the home, and pictures of your family can be distracting. Think of it as a way to get a head start on your move, and start packing up your knick-knacks, pictures, and other personal items. Do your best to turn your space into a blank canvas for every buyer who walks through.
8. Repaint the house before you sell
Not everyone has the same preferences regarding wall colour, but a fresh coat of neutral-coloured paint is the way to go. Painting the walls in your house a neutral colour, such as a taupe or light grey, will help the buyer envision the home as their own. Consider repainting the trim and doorframes bright white as well; it will go a long way in making everything look new.
9. Think about odours
Cooking, smoking, pets, and other things that produce odours can be a big turn-off for a buyer. Be sure to determine if you have any potential bad smells and remedy them. In addition, you can add pleasant aromas to your home by adding fresh flowers, air fresheners or diffusers into the rooms.
10. Stage your house before you sell
We all know that first impressions are crucial, and selling your house is no exception. Most realtors agree that home staging is the best step you can take to sell your faster and for more money. Staging done well will flatter the property in a way that helps your prospective buyers envision themselves living in the home.
Some people find that selling a house can be a stressful experience, but you can take steps to make it less stressful. Presentation is often the difference between a house that sits unsold and one that sells quickly. If you take the proper steps ahead in the start, you can help ensure the process is as smooth and quick as possible.
