Are you trying to sell your home? Taking the right steps to prepare it could make things easier for you. Every home seller wants their home to sell fast and bring in profits. However, you need more than luck to make this happen. From planning and preparing your home for sale like a professional, there is a lot to be done.
1. Research the Housing Market
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2. Minor Repairs
You may need to conduct minor repairs before selling your houses. In most markets, repairs can make or break your sale. You have to patch up holes in the walls if any, fix your leaky faucets, and replace cracked tiles. Take out your burned-out light bulbs and replace them with new, energy-efficient options. Having a bulb blow out while you are showing is embarrassing and may discourage buyers. Consider using a handy home inspection checklist to determine the repairs that need to be done. A comprehensive home inspection report may help you get an accurate repair estimate.
3. Get a Listing Agent
Enlisting a real estate agent with experience in your house market is a good idea. You may find a reputable realtor through recommendations from family and friends and online reviews. Find out what their previous clients have to say and their connection to potential buyers. Once you find potential realtors, ask about their experience in your neighborhood and plan. They should be able to provide you with a detailed plan of how they intend to sell your home.
4. Clean and Declutter
Your house needs a deep clean before you sell it. Get rid of all stains and foul smells. First impressions are everything and dusty surfaces or dirty floors do not work in your favor. Wipe down all the surfaces in your home, thoroughly clean the bathrooms and toilets, mop the floors and wash your rugs and curtains. You may need the help of a professional to have your home in pristine condition before showing it.
Declutter and keep your home simple and junk-free. Overflowing closets, unnecessary boxes, and knick-knacks will send potential buyers out of the door. If your home is filled with clutter, buyers may be focusing on it instead of the home. Another alternative is to rent out a self storage unit temporarily.
5. Paint Your Walls
A fresh coat of paint gives your home a lift. Paint with neutrals like white, grey, or beige. You do not want potential buyers to remember your home as the one with hot pink bathrooms or an orange kitchen as painting your walls is a chance to depersonalize the home. It gives potential buyers the chance to imagine themselves in the home. They are likely to picture themselves living in a home with neutral walls. They give the impression of a blank slate. Painting your walls may also cover up imperfections. It makes your home seem brighter and more inviting.
6. Stage It
Staging your home could help it sell faster. The goal is to highlight the best parts of your home and hide imperfections. Focus on the outdoor space, living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathrooms. Note that staging should not be mistaken for decorating. If you put too much in your style when trying to sell a house, you may be doing more harm than good.
The exterior of your house is your first chance to make a good impression and you have to take advantage of it. Consider adding a few flower pots on your front porch, painting the front door, and working with a landscaper to add some shrubs.
Be careful not to go overboard with your staging techniques. You don’t want your home to seem too formal or inauthentic. Buyers shouldn’t get so distracted that they forget why they came.
Even though letting go of your home can be difficult, it may be necessary. The faster you sell it, the sooner you may move on to a new one. Fortunately, there are lots of things that you can do to speed up the selling process. Take advantage of them and your home will be off the market sooner than you imagine.