Selling a home can be a stressful and overwhelming process. To begin, there are a lot of steps to take to best prepare a home for sale and there is a lot of uncertainty throughout the process. To help minimize some of that stress, we put together a list of tips to get your home ready to sell and to impress potential buyers.
Complete a Pre-Sale Inspection
A pre-sale inspection involves a professional coming to a seller’s home and examining it before it even hits the market. Conducting a pre-sale inspection will alert the seller of any necessary home fixes and reduce the chance of any last-minute surprises. Some common issues that can arise during inspections include leaky faucets, broken appliances and cracked windows. Uncovering issues and getting them resolved before your house is listed will eliminate the need for negotiations during the purchase process, and give your home a better chance of a quick, easy sale.
Check Comps to Price Home
Setting an ideal price for your home can be a challenge. While you want to avoid setting a selling price that is too high, scaring away potential buyers, you also don’t want to leave money on the table by pricing it under market value. Hiring an experienced real estate agent is critical to setting a price based on what your home has to offer and what similar homes in the area are selling for. Getting comps on other recent home sales is a good place to start. The goal is to set a price that will grab the attention of potential buyers and get the seller what they want and need.
Do a Deep Cleaning
A messy home can quickly scare away potential buyers. A clean and uncluttered home increases your chance of a quick sale. When you do a deep cleaning, make sure to focus on areas that stand out. Invest in a professional to clean carpets, area rugs and floors. Before a showing, make sure the kitchen and bathrooms are sparkling clean. Go through the house and clean doors and walls to ensure they are free of marks. Wipe baseboards, dust shelves and keep furniture spotless and dust-free before potential buyers visit. If necessary, hire someone to completely clean your home. The investment is worth it in the long run.
Declutter and Depersonalize
A cluttered home is another negative for attracting potential buyers. To get your home ready to sell, remove all the junk and unnecessary items to give buyers a clear view of the true space. It is also smart to depersonalize a home for sale, removing personal items such as photos, bulletin boards and the overload of toys or collections filling closets and shelves. You want the buyers to be able to imagine themselves living in your home, which is more difficult if they’re distracted with items belonging to current residents.
Paint Walls
A fresh coat of paint is a relatively inexpensive improvement that can make a big impact. While painting all the rooms could be an expensive and time-consuming project, strategically selecting main living areas can appeal to buyers and add value to your home. It’s best to stick to neutral colors such as whites, light grays, and beige, because neutrals make a home feel cleaner, brighter and more welcoming. Adding a new coat of paint or making touch-ups to specific areas can also cover up imperfections and give a home the crisp touch it needs.
Tackle Neglected Maintenance Projects
As you prepare your home for sale, tackle those home projects you’ve been putting off. You don’t want potential buyers to see flaws that could lead them to believe your home hasn’t been well cared for. If they discover something of concern when touring the home, they will be left wondering what else hasn’t been well-maintained or needs repair.
Swap Out Old Light Bulbs, Brighten Spaces
When potential buyers are walking through a home, turn on all the lights to better show off the rooms. You want a home to look and feel bright and cheery. One simple way to do this is by replacing light bulbs that are dull or burnt out with brighter options. It’s also good to open curtains and shutters to let in more natural light.
Touch up Exterior
A potential buyer’s first impression of a home can make or break their decision to buy. Check the front yard, walkway and entrance to determine what may need updating or enhancing. Power washing the exterior is an effective way to quickly clean the exterior walls and eaves to remove cobwebs and dirt. You may also want to touch up paint in areas that are chipped or faded, replace an old mailbox, plant flowers and shrubs or add a few potted plants near the front door
Tidy Up Landscaping
A beautifully landscaped yard can be an extremely attractive feature to a buyer considering purchasing a home. Start with sweeping patios and walkways and cleaning gutters. Spruce up the existing landscape by mowing lawns, trimming trees and shrubs, and adding new plants and flowers for appeal. Adding outdoor accent lighting is also a nice touch.
Take Professional Photos
Once your house is in tip-top shape, invest in high-quality, professional photos. Photos are often the first impression potential buyers see on listing websites, so it is worth the investment. You don’t need to have photos of every detail of your home, but definitely have photos taken of all the main living areas and showcase the home’s best features.
Landmark Title has an experienced team available to assist you in getting your home ready to sell and throughout the home-selling process. Our team of professionals has the knowledge and expertise to answer any questions about the home buying and selling process. Please contact us to speak to one of our team members and learn more about our services.