Selling a home can be a process, even in a hot seller’s market. By prepping your home a few months in advance, you can reduce your stress and increase the odds of finding a buyer quickly after listing. Take a look at this handy checklist I’ve created to ensure you know all the important steps that go into selling your home.
If at any time, you’d like to discuss the home selling process, don’t hesitate to reach out! My specialty is getting homeowners the best possible price for their home.
- CLEAN AND DECLUTTER
Cramped rooms are a buyers’ turnoff, so make
sure you open up and brighten each room. Start
with the furniture — remove the over-sized pieces,
or those that don’t fit the room’s main purpose.
For example, get rid of one of your living room
end tables, and remove the desk from your family
room. Buyers should see there is enough space
in the house for their needs.
Next, look at your counter tops, shelves, and in
cabinets. Keep the knick knacks to a minimum,
and the decor neutral so buyers can easily picture
bringing their lives into your home.
- MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS
There are two kinds of repairs
you should consider before
selling your home. The first are
cosmetic repairs. These are the
“nice to haves” for buyers, and
the associated costs should be
relatively low. Repaint rooms to be
less bold, and replace outdated light fixtures
or hardware. The overall goal is that your home
should feel fresh and modern.
Second, you should get a pre
-sale home inspection
to determine any fixes that could affect your
home’s ability to sell. You know if you have an
aging roof or radiator, but an inspection will tell
you if they’ll need to be replaced in order to get
the sale approved.
- 4 GET CURB APPEAL
Picture yourself as a buyer pulling up to your home for the first time. The lawn is well cared for, the landscaping is impeccable, and the front door has a fresh coat of paint. These natural observations set the tone for the entire walk through, so don’t underestimate the importance of curb appeal. In addition to the details noted above, make sure your house is well lit at night, and easy to find. Buy new, larger house numbers so buyers don’t drive past it on accident. Brush off any walkways so buyers have an easy time getting to the front step
- HIRE AN AGENT, SET A PRICE
Last year, sellers using real estate agents to sell
their homes netted $26,300 more on average
than those who chose not to hire an agent.
$26,000! Agents understand the local market
and the marketing practices necessary to sell
your home.
- OFFER UP YOUR HOME’S HISTORY
There is a lot of public record data out there, but
wouldn’t you rather buyers hear it directly from
you? Create a simple binder showcasing the price
you paid, past owners and price history, and any
upgrades you’ve made to the property. Include
a page with recently sold data of similar homes
nearby, so buyers know that the neighborhood
is in high demand!
- GET READY FOR SHOWINGS AND OPEN HOUSES
When a buyer is coming to look at your property, it’s important that you leave your home for the duration of the visit. Make sure your home looks and smells clean, and then get out of dodge until they’ve left
