It takes a lot of effort to sell a home. You have to deal with showings, keep the premises clean, and deal with inspections, appraisals, and negotiations. Why should you put in extra work before even putting your house on the market?
For starters, it helps you sell your house for a higher price. Clean, beautiful, and well-maintained homes sell for more money than those in less desirable circumstances. Buyers know the home won’t need a lot of repair when they move in, so they’re willing to pay a premium for it.
A home that has been prepared is also more marketable. That usually means a faster sale, and sometimes even a bidding war, which means more money at the end of the transaction.
Perform any necessary repairs
Make any obvious or large-scale repairs that are required initially, such as roof repairs, floor, door, and window difficulties, or issues with any fixtures or plumbing. If you’re not sure what needs to be fixed or just want to be sure, a pre-listing house inspection is a good idea. This is a detailed, full-scale inspection of your property that will document any flaws or issues discovered.
Retouch and repaint the area
Next, it’s time to spruce up those walls. Room by room, get some white or eggshell paint and totally cover any bold or brilliant colors you have (you might need primer, too, depending on how dark the original hue is). Any smeared or soiled areas, such as doors, baseboards, door frames, and window sills, should be touched up. A fresh coat of paint may go a long way toward making a home appear clean and open.
Minimize, donate, and declutter
After that, go through your closets, cupboards, and drawers and donate anything you don’t need or use anymore. Remove any personal photos and artwork, hide any bold decor items, and consider storing some furniture and non-essential items until you’re ready to relocate. The more open and airy your home appears, the better.
Increase the curb appeal of your home
Take a look around the outside of your house. If it’s cluttered or just plain dull, you’ll probably want to spend some time freshening it up before putting it on the market. To begin, mow, edge, and trim the entire property, as well as weed the garden.
You might also want to:
- Refresh the look of your entrance door by repainting it.
- Your welcome mat should be replaced.
- Plant some flowers in your yard.
- Hang some plants from the ceiling.
- Replace the doorknob or install a kickplate.
- Improve the look of your garage door.
It’s time to deep-clean the place once the hard lifting is done inside. If you can afford it, hire a professional cleaner to clean your home, since they’ll go over every detail, including scouring the grout and hand-wiping the baseboards.
Deep Clean Your House
If you’re going to do it yourself, make sure you’re thorough. Remember to clean the inside and outside of the appliances, as well as the interior of the cupboards, drawers, and closets. Buyers will surely look in these areas when visiting the house, even if they aren’t on full exhibit all of the time.
Pay Attention to the Details
Finally, add some finishing touches: fresh flowers in the bathrooms, a wreath on the front door, and a lovely welcome mat on the front porch to greet potential buyers. It’s also great to prepare the table with a runner, cloth napkins, and a full set of plates, though you might want to wait until right before a showing.
The Bottom Line is This
If you want your home to sell quickly and for the highest potential price, you must properly prepare it. If you’re unsure where to begin, consult with your real estate agent. They’re knowledgeable with the local market as well as the listing process. They can steer you in the appropriate way in terms of preparation.
If all of this seems a little intimidating, feel free to enlist the assistance of some pros. Repairs and exterior renovations can be handled by a contractor or handyman, and you could even hire a professional stager to have your property in tip-top shape for photography.
