Have you been thinking about selling your home lately? You might be confused where to even start.
Before putting your home on the market, you should understand what buyers are looking for and what their potential concerns could be about buying your house. Preparing your home before you list it will help attract better offers and can make your home sell quickly for top dollar. But you’ll definitely want to invest some time and effort into preparing your home before inviting prospective buyers in.
Here are six things you can do to make sure your home is in great shape.
No. 1 - Connect with a top agent
One of the most important steps to take as you prepare to sell your home is to connect with a Realty ONE Group agent. The right real estate professional can help you identify specific ways to prepare your home for the market which will make for a quicker sale.
No. 2 - Identify repairs
If you’ve lived in your home for a long time then there’s a good chance it’s got the usual wear and tear. It might be easy to ignore minor issues when you’ve lived somewhere for so long, but potential buyers may see these quirks as problems that lower the value of your home.
Make sure to check every room and note any repairs that need to be made - cracks in tiles, holes or dents in walls, loose drawers, bathroom faucets, etc. It’s also important to check for any potential water damage throughout the home while making sure your home’s ventilation, heating and air conditioning work.
Repairs can be costly depending on how much needs to be done but it’s important to remember that all the fixes can increase the value of your home.
No. 3 - Upgrades
If you’re looking for ways to increase the value of your home, consider some upgrades. For example, kitchens and bathrooms are huge selling point for buyers and can make your home look brand new. You can also upgrade your HVAC system which can save buyers money over the long run. Have a boring backyard? Maybe think about installing turf or a firepit to make the yard more welcoming.
No. 4 - Declutter and clean
Who doesn’t love a clean home? Before you put your home on the market, you’ll want to declutter and organize. Don’t just shove things in attics, closets and cabinets as potential buyers will want to see those places too. Use storage bins to store items and neatly stack them in the garage or basement of your home. After you declutter you’ll want to deep clean your home. Scrub appliances, wipe down baseboards, clean under furniture, remove carpet stains, etc.
No. 5 - Keep it clean and consistent
When you’re finished upgrading your home and you feel like it’s ready to sell, you’ll need to be committed to keeping it clean. Showings can happen at a moment's notice so your home always needs to be spot on as you may need to rush out.
No. 6 - Stage it to make it feel like home
You want your home to be attractive to buyers and staging is a way of creating that vision, helping buyers see your house as their future home. Below are some staging tips.
- Use neutral colors
- Rethink furniture placement
- Depersonalize
- Fill your home with pleasant aromas
- Erase signs of pets
- Accessorize in threes
- Don't leave walls blank
- Amp the lighting
