Preparing Your Property
Preparing your home or property for sale is an important step in helping make sure it sells quick and at a great price. Market conditions aside, if you make your home as desirable as it can be you’re going to attract buyers. First impressions are everything. When someone walks into your home and can see exactly what they’re looking for, you’re 80% of the way to making a sale.
Below are some general tips you can keep in mind as you get your home ready for sale. Most important of all: Talk with an agent as your first step! Experience matters and having someone on your side with the right knowledge can make sure you’re putting your resources where it’s most important.
- Speak with a licensed real estate agent. Selling your property quickly and under the best terms you can get is a realtor’s job. They know what’s important and what isn’t. They can also discuss with you what is most important to you. Not everyone desires the same thing when selling their property. It can be extremely helpful to make sure whatever resources you’re dedicating in preparing the home are being used efficiently.
- Discuss your goals. Talk with those involved. Talk with your agent. Write a list of what you need out of your transaction. See the list below for things that are worth figuring out before you hit the market!
- Declutter. Regardless of your goals in selling, decluttering the home is one of the simplest actions you can take to make your property appealing. Excessive furniture, decorations, art, boxes, and personal items make the property feel smaller. It’s also harder for buyers to see themselves in the home.
- Deep Clean. Do that spring cleaning you might have missed. Or do it again! Clean your stove, carpets, windows, and the inside of your microwave. A dirty home can knock 10’s of thousands of dollars off your value. Or more! Most homebuyers want that clean and fresh feeling, even if they’re going to make their own changes.
- Repairs and Maintenance. Not all items are worth addressing depending on your needs, their condition, and your market area. This is a great item to discuss with your realtor so that you’re spending your money and time wisely.
- Curb Appeal. First impressions influence everything a potential buyer sees afterward. The first thing they see is the exterior! Clean up dead plants, trim hedges and palm trees, lay down fresh mulch, and consider planting flowers or fresh grass. Even painting or pressure washing the exterior of the home can make someone fall in love immediately.
- Stage Your Home. Talk with your realtor and consider hiring a professional stager. A little extra money upfront to create lasting impressions that highlight the best features of your home can repay itself 10x over.
- Limit Personal Items. While not always true, letting buyers easily see themselves in a home can increase interest from more parties. And we’ve all seen people who can be put off a property from the smallest of things!
- Improve Lighting. Bright, open, airy rooms feel bigger, cleaner, and more comfortable. Replace burnt out bulbs. Remove heavy drapes. Consider adding additional light to brighten a room.
- Improve Air Quality. Neutral, clean smelling homes make people feel comfortable. Air out the house. Remove any sources of foul odors. Remove pet odors. Consider having a trusted friend come over and tell you what they notice. It’s hard to notice these things in the places we live every single day!
- Document Upgrades and Maintenance. Prepare in advance a list of the work you’ve done on the property – whether it’s upgrades, remodeling, or repairs. This list is going to be needed during escrow for your required disclosures. This will save you a headache later when you already have many other things to juggle. But it’s also helpful when selling your house! Being able to tell a buyer you just replaced the roof or added a brand new A/C unit can be the difference in whether someone wants to make an offer.
Reach out today to let our team help you get started in your home selling process.
