Things to Do Before Selling Your House
Starting to get your house ready to sell? There are plenty of things you’ll need to do to get it ready—some of which are things you might not even think of. Let’s go over things you’ll want to cross off your to-do list before you put your home up for sale.
Find a Real Estate Agent
You might want to do it all on your own, but hiring a real estate agent can greatly help the selling process run smoothly. An agent will be able to provide insights into the local market and help you price your home appropriately. They will also be able to attract the right buyers and sell your quickly.
Declutter Your Home
Before you start showing your home, remove items that make it feel cluttered. This will help potential buyers see the size of the room, while making the room more inviting. You can donate the items you don’t want when you move, or you can pack things up and store them somewhere else.
Depersonalize Your Home
When people are viewing your home, they’re going to want to be able to envision themselves living there. Rather than showcasing your family photos or crafts, have the house look clean and have no distractions. Provide homebuyers with a clean slate to help make it easier for them to walk through.
Boost Curb Appeal
The first thing people see when touring your house is the curb appeal—make it look pretty. If it’s warm enough outside, plant some flowers or hang baskets. This will instantly make your house look warm and inviting before even setting foot inside. Make sure the yard is clean, and the grass is cut. You want to make a good first impression on potential buyers.
Give Your House a Deep Clean
Besides picking up around the house, you’ll want to give it a good deep clean. Scrub the bathrooms, wipe off marks on the walls, clean the doors, etc. A deep clean can help make a big difference in how people see the home. Having a dirty house can push potential buyers away, so it’s important to keep your home clean.
Make Minor Repairs
Simple repairs like painting the bright, bold walls to a more neutral color can positively impact the selling process. You don’t always have to break the bank to get your home ready to sell. Simple remodels can bring the same value that a major remodel would. By painting the walls, fixing up the cabinets, and changing fixtures, you can generate more money when you sell the home. It will also probably sell faster if you make these changes before listing it.
Touch Up Scuff Marks
You might not notice the marks on the walls, doors, or floors, but people walking through your home for the first time might—especially if they are serious about buying it. People will pay attention to every little detail, including those scuff marks you walk past daily without noticing. Walk around your home like it’s your first time walking through it. Clean up any marks you notice to give the house a clean slate.
Stage the Home
If you want, you can higher professional stagers to furnish your home. They will know what pieces look best in your space and how to put everything together. Staged homes typically sell faster, so if you are in a rush, you might want to spend the extra money and get your home staged. If you don’t want to get it staged, just remember to remove any personal items, such as family photos, personal collections, toiletries, children’s artwork, and fridge magnets.
Get Professional Photos
Before your home goes on the market, getting professional photos is important. People tend to click on homes and swipe through the photos more if they are professionally taken. The photos will help make your home more appealing and enhance its perceived value. Buyers will typically see your home online before they tour it, so it’s important to make a strong first impression. If they don’t like what they see online, chances are they won’t come to tour it in person.