Are you thinking of selling your home? If so, there are some key steps to take before putting it on the market.
Selling a house is not as simple as just listing it and waiting for an offer; there’s much more involved in getting it ready to sell.
Taking the time to do the things suggested below can help ensure you get top dollar for your property and have a smooth transaction.
Here are 6 things to do before selling your home.
1. Get An Inspection
Before putting your house up for sale, it’s important to get an inspection done by a certified inspector who can identify any potential problems with the property.
This will give you an idea of what repairs need to be made, if any, which may include safety issues or structural damage that needs attention prior to listing the house on the market.
Types of home inspections:
- General inspection
- Foundation inspection
- Plumbing inspection
- Septic tank inspection
- Termite inspection
- Mold inspection
- Chimney inspection
Having this information ahead of time will also allow you peace of mind knowing you won’t have unexpected repair costs after purchasing the home.
Sometimes these items can be handled easily and affordably before going on the market. Having a property in good working order shows buyers the house has been properly maintained. If they are too costly, they may be able to be handled during negotiations with the buyers… that’s when the right agent can make the difference.
Learn more about Home Inspections here.
2. Hire A Real Estate Agent
It can be tempting to try and list and sell your house without professional assistance, but enlisting help from a real estate agent is a wise decision.
A real estate agent will be able to help you properly price your house so that it’s competitive in the market, guide you through paperwork and the selling process, and advise on negotiating strategies for dealing with buyers.
Your real estate agent will also have access to detailed data about current market trends and pricing information for similar homes in the area. This allows them to advise you on how much you should list your house for in order to get top dollar without having it sit on the market too long.
They also know which home upgrades will add value so they can maximize exposure for your listing.
Speaking of home value, when was the last time you had yours checked? Tap here for an instant home valuation!
3. Curb Appeal Is Key
The exterior of your home is the first impression potential buyers will have so making sure it looks attractive is important.
Take time to spruce up the front yard by planting flowers or adding greenery if needed, pressure wash siding and sidewalks, trim shrubs and trees touch up the paint where necessary, and add outdoor lighting or furniture to create an inviting atmosphere.
Use the home curb appeal checklist below as your guide!
Exterior paint job:
Make sure the exterior of your home looks clean and fresh by giving it a new coat of paint. Consider painting the trim a contrasting color to add some extra curb appeal.
Landscaping:
Update your landscaping with fresh mulch, flowers, and trees to make your yard look more inviting.
Clean up:
Make sure you clean up any debris that might be lying around like leaves, sticks, and old furniture.
Lighting:
Update the lighting fixtures around your house with modern options that will help create an inviting atmosphere at night.
Add curb appeal:
Make sure you add details like a mailbox, house numbers, and a flagpole to make your home more noticeable.
Porch/patio area:
Update the porch or patio area with stylish furniture and decorations that will be inviting when potential buyers come to take a look at your home.
Windows:
Clean all the windows and make sure they are in good condition. Replace any cracked or broken windows to ensure that your home has a polished look.
Curb appeal accessories:
Add curb appeal accessories like wind chimes, lanterns, or even solar lights for a warm, inviting glow at night.
Final touches:
Make sure you add any final touches like a welcome mat or potted plants on the porch to complete the look.
If you have any questions, schedule a quick call with me and we can look at how to maximize your curb appeal and sell your home for top dollar!
4. Declutter Depersonalize
Remove any personal items from the house such as photos or collectibles that may distract buyers from the features of your home itself.
Decluttering by removing furniture, knick-knacks or other unnecessary items that make a room look cluttered can help create a spacious atmosphere.
It’s important for any potential buyer to be able to see the home and each room in a way that will allow them to imagine how it will look and feel with their personal style. We will go into this more in-depth below.
5. Make Repairs/Upgrades
If you notice any issues with your home during an inspection, be sure to get those repairs taken care of before listing it on the market.
Minor upgrades like updating fixtures, installing new light switches or outlets, replacing carpets, and repainting walls can also add value to your property and enhance its visual appeal.
As mentioned above in the curb appeal section, your real estate agent will be a great asset here! Your agent can tell you which home upgrades and repairs will help get top dollar for the sale of your home.
How valuable would it be to you if you had a team of professionals come in and make all the upgrades and repairs to your home without you having to pay for them until after the sale of your home?
Learn more about my buy-before-you-sell services here.
6. Stage Your Home
Home staging is the practice of arranging furniture, painting walls, and placing decor in a way that makes potential buyers feel as though they can imagine living there.
Staging your home will not only make it look more pleasing to the eye but also help buyers envision themselves in this new space which can be a powerful factor when deciding to purchase.
In addition to helping you get top dollar for your property, strategically staged homes also tend to sell faster than non-staged ones; according to The National Association of Realtors (NAR), they spend half as much time on the market compared with unstaged homes.
Staging also helps create emotional connections between potential buyers and your home – it gives them an idea of how their own furniture could fit in each room while allowing them to visualize themselves living there comfortably without having seen all their items placed inside yet.
Lastly, professional stagers often bring fresh ideas to the table, helping you make decisions about what should stay and what should go in order to create a more attractive selling point for buyers.
Bridget’s Final Thought
I can help with all of these areas as well! Since some of these items might seem intimidating, hiring the right agent that can help you get your home ready can make the process easier. I bring in a staging consultant, at my expense, on all of my listings to help put the home in its best light. I have many programs and vendors available to help with the items listed above.
I handle everything from start to finish! When considering selling your home, contact me first to have a much smoother experience and get top dollar for your property.
If you’re ready to sell your home, I can guide you through the process and deliver value every step of the way! Fill out the form below and let’s get in touch.