9 Tips on How to Prep Your Home for Resale
Getting your home ‘market ready’ can feel like an overwhelming task. People usually begin by saying “Where do I start?” It is easy to go overboard and try to do as much as possible but it is necessary to take a step back and realize that some things are going to be more essential than others. Let’s take a look at the top 9 things that are going to help you get the highest return on your home at your time of sale!
Price Your Home Correctly
Pricing your home correctly is one of the most crucial things you can do for a successful home sale. There are a few different strategies you can take when it comes to this and a good realtor will help you decide what to do based on your specific situation. Overpricing your home can actually be super detrimental when it comes to putting your home on the market!
Hire the Right Realtor
Number one was a great segway into this one! A good realtor will be able to read the market where your home is located. They will be able to give you market data within a macro and a micro surrounding of your house. They will also know how to properly market your property so that it shows as well as possible online AND in person. Lastly, they will be able to communicate with you any feedback/offers so that you can make decisions with as little stress as possible.
Fresh Coat of Neutral Paint on Walls
Painting your home may not be 100% necessary but it can definitely make a HUGE impact. When prospective buyers walk into a space with neutral walls, it is a lot easier for them to envision themselves in the home. Neutral walls give it that clean, fresh feel and a bonus is that they’re much easier to paint over when they decide they want to switch up the colors after purchase.
Clean, Declutter, and Depersonalize
When buyers walk into somebody else’s home they don’t want to feel like they’re walking into somebody else’s home. It’s that simple. Tidying things up, taking away excessive trinkets, considering removing family photos, and cleaning your home from top to bottom can really go a long way!
Fix the Little Things
A lot of buyers will walk into a home and add up how much money they will need to spend to fix things that they see wrong. On top of that, when they have the home inspection and the inspector points out 20 little things that will probably need to be fixed in the near future, that could potentially kill the deal! Do yourself a favor and fix the little things. Trust me, it will probably save you some money and a few headaches!
Always Be Showing Ready
Remember, your first impression is your only impression! Your realtor will help you set up a way that potential buyers can book a showing. If you need a certain amount of heads-up before showings or can’t offer showings during certain times, then make sure to set that up correctly. You will want to have enough time to make sure your home doesn’t have dishes in the sink, dirty clothes laying around, etc. before someone views the property.
Make Arrangements for Your Pets
If you are able, consider getting your pets out of the house during the first weekend that you are live. Typically, this is when you will see the most traffic from showings and open houses. Not only will this help keep your home spotless but it will take the pressure off of you and your pets so you are not moving them in and out or warning people of their presence.
Stage Your Home
This can mean that you hire a company to bring in furniture to help the flow of your home appeal to more people or simply just remove large furniture to help turn rooms into better use of space or convert them completely. I’ve seen plenty of times, especially recently, where people stage a smaller room in their home as a home office and buyers love to see it.
Don’t Forget the Curb Appeal!
Have you ever walked past a home with garbage in the yard, windows that are broken, and paint that is chipping? Think about how that made you feel about the home. It usually doesn’t look super approachable! Make sure your siding is clean, your grass is mowed/your sidewalk is shoveled, plant some flowers, and patch up those crumbling stairs. You want the outside to be as welcoming, if not more than the inside!
Have you been thinking about making a move? It can be pretty overwhelming especially if you have a home to sell while looking for a home to buy - but it doesn’t have to be!
Send me a message and let’s chat about it!
