Getting your home ready to sell can be daunting, but hiring the right team to prepare your home for the market is the first step toward getting the most out of your biggest investment. We help every client by creating a custom-tailored to-do list and sharing our network of professionals who can help get your home looking its best.
The key to getting the best terms on the sale of your home is to reach the largest pool of potential buyers. And most buyers want a move-in-ready home.
Here are some of the things every home seller should do before putting their home on the market.
1. Home maintenance
Savvy buyers and agents can tell a well-maintained home from a neglected one. Even if you’ve gotten behind on your home maintenance, hire professionals to make sure the important systems are serviced and everything is in working order. I can’t tell you how many inspections revealed furnace filters that hadn’t been changed in years; yet, changing a filter costs $20 and takes 2 minutes. This guide is a great way to take stock of your home maintenance to-do list.
Don’t forget the minor repairs and touch-up! Put your home through the wringer—if something doesn’t work, fix it. It’s probably easier than you think.
2. Landscaping
Busy homeowners know how easy it is to neglect the yard (especially if you’re selling during the cold months), but this is one of the first things a buyer sees when visiting your home. Start early on your landscaping efforts because not every yard can be cleaned up in one go. Mow and edge the lawn, trim trees and bushes, cut back any branches that touch the house and don’t forget to add some color!
3. Staging…inside and out
Staging both the inside and outside living spaces in your home is a no-brainer. It creates bright, open, understandable spaces that allow a buyer to experience an ideal version of the home. Professional staging companies know how to select furniture at the right scale for those awkward areas and to highlight the best features of your home without overwhelming it.
If you live in the home you’re selling, staging may not be an option (especially with kids or pets in the house), but you can still hire a stager to work with your existing items to create a great experience for home buyers.
“The key to getting the best terms on the sale of your home is to reach the largest pool of potential buyers. And most buyers want a move-in-ready home.”
4. Exterior cleaning
Photo from A.A. Windows and Gutters
Cleaning the outside of your home is inexpensive and impactful. Clean your windows (inside and out), roof, gutters, downspouts, and walkways to make your house sparkle. You only get one chance to make a first impression, and this is the first thing buyers will see when they visit your home.
5. Interior deep cleaning
https://konmari.com/marie-kondo-spring-cleaning-tips/
Unless you’re name is Marie Kondo, don’t try to do this yourself—you’re the reason you got into this mess! Deep cleaning means dealing with all the little corners of your home: inside the fridge, dusting on top of trim and baseboards, inside cabinets. A market-ready home will sparkle and create an environment where buyers want to be.
If you’re considering selling, get in touch to learn how to get the most of out your real estate investment.