When it comes to selling your home, it doesn’t have to be a hair-pulling experience! With a little know-how, you can navigate the real estate jungle like a pro. So, here are 17 must-dos when putting your house on the market.
Declutter
Buyers can’t imagine their dream home overflowing with your gnome collection. Unleash your inner minimalist and what you can’t sell, at least hide. Less stuff means more “wow!” for potential buyers (and way less packing for you!).
Paint
A fresh coat of paint is the magic potion for tired interiors! Liven up those spaces and watch your asking price soar. Reader’s Digest advises, “If you’re in the process of selling your house, you might want to consider a few painting projects.”
Professional Photos
Ditch the blurry phone pictures and instead strive for magazine cover quality. Professional photos are the superheroes of real estate listings. They showcase your home’s best angles, bathe it in gorgeous light (even on cloudy days), and make every room shine. Getting viewers through the door is an essential part of the process, so don’t overlook this crucial step.
Prepare Paperwork
Don’t get caught acting like you are on a frantic scavenger hunt in front of potential buyers. Avoid that closing-day fumble by getting your paperwork together early. Deeds, disclosures, and tax records—all neatly organized in a folder of awesomeness. When the time comes to fight for that dream offer, you’ll be ready to seal the deal with confidence.
Hosting Skills
Even though they are not looking for a roomie, being a good host is still important. Greet visitors with a smile brighter than the freshly painted walls, answer questions with confidence, and offer refreshing beverages that’ll leave a better impression than lukewarm tap water. Think of it as a first date for your house—make a fantastic impression, and those buyers will be begging to take it home (literally)!
Good Agent
Skip the solo selling struggle and snag yourself a superhero agent! A good agent will translate legalese into plain English, market your house like a magician, and negotiate offers with the finesse of a champion fencer. Avoid fumbling around yourself when a great real estate pro can help you find the ideal buyers at a premium price.
Minor Repairs
Don’t let a dripping faucet drain the buyer’s enthusiasm and your asking price. Conquer those minor repairs and banish leaky sinks, creaky doors, and flickering lights. By polishing your home’s image, you minimize the appearance of a home that needs a lot of work to a home that is ready to move into.
Research
Consider all the things that could affect your sale and be prepared. Chase maintains that “putting your house on the market during the right season can maximize your profits and cut down on the stress of waiting.” Make sure you do your research and take into account recently sold homes in your neighborhood, current trends, listing strategies, and the local competition.
Deep Clean
A sparkling, clean space can make a world of difference to potential buyers; don’t let any hidden dirt detract from your home’s shine. By investing time and effort in a deep clean, you’ll create a bright environment that showcases your home’s true value. Potential buyers will be able to envision themselves living in a clean and comfortable space, making your property more appealing.
Neutralize
If you have any wacky statements or particularly personalized touches, it could be a good idea to make your house appear less like a mad house and more like their potential next home. Forbes explains how colors matter: “Prospective buyers would offer about $2,100 less for a home with a bright yellow kitchen and more than $3,000 less for a bright yellow living room.”
Curb Appeal
Don’t underestimate first impressions; take a look at your property from the curb and get a feel for what their first impression might be. From this perspective, you might see something off-putting or better out of sight, or you might realize that you might need a few plants here or there.
Accentuate Features
Try to work out the features of every room and make them more noticeable by rearranging the furniture in a complementary way that accentuates them. Help potential buyers romanticize your home by thinking of each room like a shop window display, then arrange and prop each room to maximize its glory.
Knockout Description
Your home is competing for attention in a sea of other listings. So it’s important that yours packs a punch and grabs a potential viewer’s attention. Consider your target buyer and use the right keywords that might appeal to them. Think about showcasing your home in your description rather than a robotic list of the details.
Garden Appeal
A garden is a huge selling point to most buyers, so if you don’t have the budget to do some landscaping, think about maintaining the garden to get it looking its best at the very least. U.S. News says that “most of us have emerged from quarantine with a new appreciation for access to the great outdoors,” so pimping your garden is more important than ever.
Disclose Defects
Being upfront and honest is always best. Once a potential buyer gets a whiff of a lie, they will often wonder, “What else are they hiding?” While you might be eager to showcase your home’s best features, disclosing any known defects is crucial for a smooth transaction and protects you from future legal issues. Transparency is key.
Budget for Moving Costs
Don’t let moving day become a budget buster! Moving costs can sneak up on you unexpectedly. While the excitement of your new home beckons, don’t overlook the financial impact of relocation. From packing supplies to potential movers, it all adds up. Plan strategically, explore DIY options, and negotiate like a boss. A little foresight can save you a big stack of cash.
Celebrate the Sale
If you followed all these steps, then you are well on your way to a “SOLD” sign on your property. Take time to celebrate your victory and make note of all the things you did right, wrong, or would do differently next time.