Getting ready to sell your house? Let’s roll up those sleeves and get to work because there’re a ton of things to do before listing your home!
Selling a home entails more than just planting a “For Sale” sign on your front lawn. So, before you put your house on the market, read these tips and tricks on what to do before selling your home.
Find a great Real Estate Agent
It can be tempting in a hot market to sell your home yourself and pocket the cash. Resist the urge! According to Jon Sterling, a Real Estate consultant, a “for sale by owner” transaction is almost always a disaster. Which leads you to sacrifice both money and time.
However, don’t jump the gun and choose just any Agent. Do some research and find an agent who is knowledgeable about your specific market, and one you feel comfortable with.
Look at your curb appeal
Buyers tend to judge a book by its cover. Make sure your potential buyers’ first impression of your home is a good one. You want to inspire them to stop by the open house or schedule a tour to see more of the home.
Invest in easy upgrades. Plant colorful flowers, repaint your front door, etc. The outside of your house should beckon prospective buyers to see more.
Not sure how to improve your home’s curb appeal? Ask your Real Estate Agent for advice on how others in your area have improved their exterior before selling.
Touch up small cosmetic bumps and bruises
Selling any home can be tricky but selling a home with lots of small repairs can be difficult. When a buyer walks into a home, they want to fall in love, not add a bunch of small repairs to the list.
For example, a loose handle or a missing lightbulb can have a negative appeal to a buyer. It makes them think, “What else is broken?”. Fix the small repairs. You don’t want to give any buyers doubt that your house will make a great home.
Clean, clean, and clean some more
Smell and mess are two big things that can be a deal-breaker. Do a deep clean on your home and light a few candles or plug in a few room deodorizers. Once you’re done cleaning your house, clean some more. You want your property to look spotless.
Remove any distractions that would keep the buyers from visualizing themselves and their families living in the home. The goal is to create a blank canvas on which buyers can project their own visions of living there and loving it.
It’s the seller’s job to help buyers picture themselves in the house. If they don’t feel at home, they’ll probably look at other properties. Take a minute to really assess your property and determine what you can do to make your home stand out.
