So it’s time to sell your home - what now? Even in a seller's market like now in which homes are selling at record speed, it’s still critical to take all the necessary steps to properly prepare your home to be sold. Doing these projects can pay off in the long run, too, and bring you the greatest return on your investment. From cleaning from top to bottom to working with a realtor you trust, here are some of the top tips for preparing your home for sale:
Clean until your house sparkles
While cleaning might not be the most exciting job, this step is still important when it comes to prepping your home to be sold. In fact, heavy-duty cleaning might just be one of the most critical steps that you can do. Remember, potential homebuyers will be looking through every nook and cranny in your home, so you want to ensure that your home is sparkling clean. Don’t let dirty floors or unattractive smells keep the potential buyers away from your home. When you’re deep-cleaning your home, make certain that you’re working from the top of the room to the bottom. That way any dirt or dust that you knock down as you clean can easily be vacuumed or swept away once you’ve completed each room. It’s a good idea to start with the bathroom and kitchen before moving on to other rooms in the house. You might want to consider hiring a professional cleaner to get the job done or, if you have the time, you can tackle these steps for deep cleaning yourself.
Remove personalized items
Selling your home is often an emotional process - understandably. After all, the house isn’t just four walls but a place where you’ve created memories with your loved ones. While these emotions are completely normal, depersonalizing your space is an important part of prepping your home to be sold. This includes eliminating your personal tastes and preferences, such as family photos hanging on the wall or art or other memorabilia. Essentially, the goal is to take away anything that might distract people from viewing your home. This step can understandably be difficult, but it will enable potential homebuyers to imagine your home as their own.
Help buyers feel at home
While depersonalizing your space is necessary, you don’t want to leave your home looking cold and uninviting. After all, you want to create a space where people feel welcome and warm. It’s important for buyers to see all the possible ways that they can make your home their next space. Adding a fresh touch is an easy and simple way that you can help buyers feel at home. There are plenty of ways that you can do this, such as adding a vase of freshly cut flowers or a bowl of fruit on the dining room table. You can even throw some cookies in the oven or burn a candle to help create a homey feel. Incorporating a pop of color will give your house some personality and elevate your space’s aesthetic. This can be in the form of decorative throw pillows, hanging plants, or a chic rug. Although this step might seem small, it will help bring your home to life.
Make your home pet neutral
There’s no question that your furry, four-legged friends are an integral part of your family. But, when it comes to prepping your home to be sold, it’s best to downplay them. A pet-friendly home can be a deterrent for people who do not share your same passion towards pets — or for those who are allergic. There are a few important things you can do when staging a home with pets so that it appeals to all potential buyers. Start by checking your house for any stains or damages caused by pets and make any appropriate repairs. You’ll also want to clean out your vents and vacuum the floors to eliminate any dust and hair that might have accumulated. Opening the windows will allow your house to air out, neutralizing the scent. And don’t forget to store away any pet items that might be scattered around your house!
Declutter
According to Consumer Reports, your home will increase in value by 3-5% when it’s clean and decluttered. Decluttering your space may feel like a daunting process, but don’t get discouraged. Following a few simple suggestions for decluttering will help whip your home into tip-top shape. It’s important to note that this step can be time-consuming, so don’t wait until the last minute before you start sorting through boxes. Unsure where to start? The best way to tackle decluttering is by stages. You’ll most likely want to start with one room, or space, at a time. Set aside one or two hours each day to declutter an area of your home, completing one job fully before moving on to the next space. This will prevent you from getting overwhelmed.
Tackle the repairs
If your house has some annoying repairs that you’ve been delaying, now is the time to do them. While this step is far from glamorous, it will show your future buyer that you’ve maintained and cared for the property. Start by completing a thorough walkthrough of your house - including the inside and outside. Be sure to take notes of any tiny nicks, holes, scratches, or anything else that signals neglect. Remember, a home that needs repairs will typically deliver a lower price in the market - even when it’s a seller’s market. On the contrary, keeping your home in good repair can pay significant dividends when it’s time to sell.
Stage your home
According to the National Association of Realtors, 77% of buyer's agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home. Staging your home helps highlight your home’s attractive features and allows for future buyers to mentally move into your space. Plus, this often helps your home sell faster. The National Association of Realtors reveals that a staged home will sell for 17% more on average than a non-staged home. As if that weren’t enough to convince you of the importance of staging, 95% of staged homes sell in 11 days or less - that’s a shocking 87% faster than non-staged homes.
Have professional photos
According to the National Association of REALTORS, homebuyers indicate that photos are the number one feature they utilize when they are searching for a home online. No one responds well to grainy or blurry photos and this can dissuade people from wanting to see your home in person. Although you can take stellar photos using your iPhone, your agent will coordinate professional photos so that your home makes the best possible impression online.
The National Association of REALTORS 2017 study notes that homes with one photo spent an average of 70 days on the market, while homes with 20 photos spent only 32 days on the market. High-quality photos allow buyers to familiarize themselves with your home, even before they have the chance to see it in person.
Find a listing agent
There’s no doubt about it, preparing your home to be listed on the market can be a lengthy and extensive process. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to find a listing agent to help guide you through this endeavor. An experienced local agent wears many hats — ranging from marketer to analyst to counselor. There are many reasons why working with a listing agent is a good idea, but one of the top reasons is that they will negotiate for you. In today’s red-hot real estate market, finding a buyer is relatively easy. But selling your home, especially if it’s your first time doing so, can be a confusing process.
A talented real estate agent like Karen Stroble will negotiate for you, including everything from repairs to accurately appraising your property. A good listing agent will work tirelessly to ensure that your home is listed at the right price. Plus, realtors are experts at marketing and have a wealth of both online and offline marketing resources at their disposal. This is important considering how 52% of buyers find their homes online. Marketing includes everything from hosting open houses, taking high-quality photos, staging, and posting pictures on their own website. Needless to say, hiring a listing agent to do the job for you will be worth every penny in the long run.
