Are you thinking about selling your home in the near future? If so, you’ll want to ensure that it’s completely ready to go on the market. If your home isn’t properly prepared, it could sit on the market for an extended period of time, resulting in lowered profits for you and extra work for your real estate agent.
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to get your home ready to sell before the first open house begins. Here are some of our favorite tips to help you make sure your home is ready to go in time for the spring season.
Preparing For Viewings
If you’re selling your home, you want to make sure it’s in tip-top shape before potential buyers come for a viewing. Here are a few things you can do to get your home ready:
1. First, declutter and depersonalize. You want buyers to be able to see themselves living in the space, and that’s hard to do when there’s too much stuff around. Don’t pack up all of your belongings or start throwing away items—just give everything a good clean and take down any sentimental pictures or other items that don’t fit with the style of your home.
2. Wash windows inside and out.
3. Fix any holes or loose flooring on hardwood floors by sanding them down and applying a sealant.
4. Clean all appliances (including refrigerators) inside and out so they sparkle like new! 5. Vacuum carpets and clean couches to remove pet hair. 6. Touch up paint jobs if necessary. 7. Check smoke alarms, as well as fire extinguishers and CO2 detectors, to ensure they’re working properly 8. Make your beds 9. Clean bathrooms 10. Hang fresh curtains.
Taking good photos
Good photos are important when selling your home. They can make a big difference in how quickly your home sells and how much money you ultimately make. Here are a few tips for taking good photos:
1. Use a high-quality camera. This will ensure that your photos are clear and detailed.
2. Take multiple pictures of each room. This will give potential buyers a better sense of the space.
3. Make sure the rooms are well-lit. 4. Consider hiring an expert photographer if you want really professional shots. 5. Make sure to take photos from both inside and outside the house so potential buyers get a feel for what it’s like on both sides of the front door.
Avoid including too many personal items or anything that might distract from the aesthetics of the property. Try not to be too dark or light with your photo editing, either—you want them to look natural! If you’re not up for taking photos yourself, hire a real estate agent or someone who specializes in photography.
Give it a Fresh Coat of Paint
A fresh coat of paint is one of the quickest and most affordable ways to give your home a facelift. It can also be a great way to increase its curb appeal and make it more attractive to potential buyers.
When choosing a color, be sure to go with something neutral that will appeal to a wide range of people. And if you’re not sure where to start, ask a professional painter for advice.
Spruce Up the Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house when it comes to selling. Buyers want a space that is both functional and stylish. If your kitchen is outdated or in need of repair, make sure to invest in a few key updates.
A fresh coat of paint, new countertops, and updated appliances can go a long way. Make sure your sink and faucet are free from leaks and stains as well. When you’re done updating the kitchen, start on the rest of the home! Start with windows, walls, floors, baseboards, doors—whatever needs updating will be easier now than later.
The Bathroom
Your bathroom should be clean, bright, and welcoming. Scrub the floors and toilets, polish the fixtures, and clear out any clutter. Adding a fresh coat of paint can also make a big difference. If you have an old or outdated bathroom, consider renovating it before putting your home on the market.
A potential buyer’s first impression of your home will come from the outside, so make sure your curb appeal is on point. Take care of loose items hanging around the exterior (e.g., landscaping, broken lights), repair damaged siding, and get rid of anything that doesn’t look good (e.g., appliances in the yard). In addition to making repairs, think about painting the front door or getting new exterior lights as well.
Hallways & Staircases
The first thing potential buyers will see when they come to your home is the hallway and staircase. You want to make sure these areas are clean and inviting. First, clear any clutter. Then, give the walls a fresh coat of paint.
Finally, add some décor that makes the space feel warm and welcoming. Plant a few potted plants on the landing or at the top of the stairs. Use colorful throw pillows on a bench or chair at the top of the stairs. Put an area rug in front of doors leading into other rooms so it feels more like you’re walking onto plush carpeting instead of hardwood floors.
Living Room & Dining Room
When you’re selling your home, first impressions are key. That’s why it’s important to make sure your living room and dining room are in tip-top shape before potential buyers come through. Remove all clutter and unnecessary items that have accumulated over the years.
Don’t forget to remove any family photos so they don’t feel like they’re intruding on someone else’s space. Open up the space by moving furniture away from walls or simply rearranging it altogether, so there’s plenty of breathing room for a prospective buyer to walk around freely without bumping into everything.
Make sure your table is clean and uncluttered too – cover it with a fresh tablecloth if need be! If you have an accent wall in your dining room, try removing artwork so the wall isn’t as cluttered. If you’ve got a fireplace mantel above the hearth, now’s the time to take down anything other than simple décor. It’ll open up the space and give people something new to look at. Also, while you’re at it, dust off your mantle and mantle clock.
It’s important not to skip this part! These finishing touches can go a long way in helping sell your property faster (and for more money).
Keeping it Organized & Clean
Before you do anything, it’s important to declutter and deep clean your home. This will make it more appealing to potential buyers and help them see its potential. To declutter, start by getting rid of any personal items, such as family photos or heirlooms.
Then, focus on cleaning each room from top to bottom. In the kitchen, for example, scrub the counters, sinks and appliances until they shine. Do the same with all other rooms in your house. And don’t forget about the yard – keep it neat and tidy so potential buyers can imagine themselves living there!
Freshen Up Your Carpet
One of the first things potential buyers will notice when they come to your home is the condition of your carpet. If it’s stained or worn, it will give them the impression that your home is not well-cared for. To make a good first impression, invest in having your carpets professionally cleaned or replaced.
Similarly, replace any furniture with stains or frayed fabric. The idea is to put your best foot forward and present your home as clean and inviting as possible. It may cost some money upfront but it will pay off in the long run.
Use Plants & Artwork to Add Life to the Space Â
There’s no doubt that first impressions matter when selling your home. You want potential buyers to see your home as a warm and inviting space, somewhere they could see themselves living. One way to achieve this is by adding some plants and artwork.
Adding a few potted plants in the entryway or some colorful paintings in the living room can really make a difference. Not only will it make your home more appealing, but it will also make it feel more alive.
Choose a Good Real Estate Agent
One of the most important things you can do when selling your home is choose a good real estate agent. A good agent will be familiar with the local market and will be able to help you price your home correctly.
They will also be able to help you stage your home and make it more appealing to buyers. And if there are any repairs that need to be done, they will have a contractor lined up for you who knows what needs to be done for showings. Hiring an agent may cost you some money, but in the end it’s worth it because they’ll save you time and money by helping prepare your home for sale.
Do a Final Inspection
Before you put your home on the market, do a final inspection to ensure that it’s in tip-top shape. This will help you avoid any last-minute repairs that could eat into your profits. Here’s what to look for:
• Check for any damage to the exterior of your home, including the roof, gutters, and siding.
• Make sure all windows and doors are in good working order. • Test appliances before listing them—and if they don’t work, replace them!
• Remove personal items from the interior of your home so buyers can envision themselves living there.
• De-clutter and remove clutter—you want potential buyers to be able to imagine themselves living in an organized space! Pack up knickknacks, piles of paperwork, or anything else that might make the space feel too crowded.
Follow Up with Prospective Buyers
After you’ve shown your home to a prospective buyer, it’s important to follow up. This shows that you’re interested in selling your home and that you’re available to answer any questions they may have. You can follow up by sending a thank-you note, giving them your contact information, or even offering a tour of the neighborhood.
Have all the paperwork to hand
Before you can even list your home, you need to have all the paperwork in order. This includes your mortgage documents, insurance information, and any other legal documents that might be relevant. Having everything organized from the start will make the selling process go much smoother.
If you are thinking about buying a new property after the sale of your current one, remember to take into account any timeframes for moving. It’s usually best to schedule things so that you don’t have both transactions going on at once. If you are working with an agent, they should know what sort of timeframe is necessary for this sort of thing too.
A Quick Wrap
1. If you’re thinking of selling your home, there are a few things you can do to prepare it for sale and maximize your profit.
2. First, take a good look at your home’s curb appeal. Is the landscaping neat and tidy? Are the gutters clean? Pressure wash the exterior if necessary.
3. Next, take a look at the interior of your home. Are there any repairs that need to be made? Is the paint fresh? Is everything in its place? Have your carpets been cleaned recently? Cleaning up clutter will make your home feel larger and brighter.
You may also want to install new light fixtures or paint those drab walls. And don’t forget about making sure all the blinds are functioning properly! After putting all this work into getting your home ready to sell, these last little details could be what finally gets it sold.
Take advantage of the expertise of an experienced real estate agent to help with decisions like when and how much should I ask for my property? Having a qualified professional on your side is one more way to get the most out of selling your home. Contact us today for more information about how we can help you sell your property quickly and for top dollar!
