Putting your home up for sale can be both exciting and challenging. There are many things to think about and accomplish, from packing and cleaning to performing renovations and boosting curb appeal. Whether you’re selling to make a profit or out of necessity, getting your house ready for a sale doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Let’s look at 10 tips that can make the process easier for you, so you can get things done quickly, efficiently, and with as little stress as possible.
1. Make a Plan
It might be tempting to just dive in and list your home quickly, especially if you’re in a hurry to move. However, creating a plan for the process will make everything easier and help ensure you don’t miss anything important.
Go through every room of your home and identify:
- Repairs that need to be made;
- Necessary upgrades;
- Decorative changes that could boost appeal or value.
As you start to check things off your list, you’ll feel more confident in the sale of your home and less worried that you forgot about something.
2. Find a Real Estate Agent You Can Trust
Once you decide to sell your home, one of the first steps to take is finding a licensed real estate agent. You can choose to sell your home yourself, but if it’s your first time selling property or you don’t want to deal with the extra hassle and paperwork yourself, an experienced agent will make your life much easier.
Not only will a real estate agent list your home, but they’ll also give you information about what you can do to get it ready for potential buyers to walk through. In addition to their pool of clients, many agents also have connections to contractors, home inspectors, and designers. This makes them a good resource for any other professional help you might need with your property.
3. Get a Home Inspection
Before someone buys your home, they’ll likely hire a home inspector to go through the house and make sure everything is safe and functional. From checking out the roof to looking for any pests to inspecting electrical wiring, potential buyers want to learn about any issues that could impact their decision to purchase your house. In some locations, these kinds of pre-purchase inspections may even be a legal requirement.
However, it’s a good idea to hire an inspector before you list the home, too. The last thing you want is to list your property and have a potential buyer come back to you with a list of everything that needs to be repaired or upgraded. A home inspector will give you that list before you officially put your house on the market. While it might seem like a headache now, it’s easier to take care of those things before you list your home.
4. Identify Repairs
Before you hire a home inspector, go through that initial plan you created and identify the things you can repair on your own. Some of the most important updates and repairs you should make before selling your house include:
- Painting;
- Fixing dents or holes in walls and ceilings;
- Replacing chipped or cracking flooring;
- Making sure your HVAC system works properly;
- Improving your landscaping.
You can save money by taking DIYing what you can. However, tougher, more complex, or time-consuming projects are best left to the professionals.
5. Add Value
In addition to necessary upgrades and repairs, it’s also a good idea to consider upgrading things that will add value to your home.
For example, if you’re selling an older property, consider investing in things like solar panels or eco-friendly appliances. These upgrades may not be necessary and will cost you some money upfront, but you can list your home at a higher price. They may even help your home sell faster, as more people are interested in leading sustainable lives.
6. Hire a Cleaning Crew
You have to clean your home before you sell it, and though you could take care of that on your own, you may want to hire someone to help out in this area.
A professional cleaning crew will make a big difference as you prepare to sell. You won’t have to worry about deep cleaning every inch of your home and ensuring everything is spotless. Further, most cleaning crews know exactly what to do to get things sparkling and attract buyers.
You can find a reputable cleaning company by:
- Doing your research;
- Interviewing your choices;
- Asking for references;
- Discussing the cost of services;
- Getting written agreements.
Deep cleaning a home that’s about to go on the market is a big job, but it’s one you don’t have to tackle on your own.
7. Declutter While You Pack
Packing can be one of the most tedious parts of selling and moving. Make it easier on yourself and your family by labeling everything correctly and choosing not to take everything.
You might be surprised by how much you and your kids end up giving away to people who need it or tossing away things you won’t use anymore. This decluttering process will make the process of packing up your home go more smoothly and ensure you don’t have as much to unpack when you move into your new space.
8. Get Professional Photos
If you want your home to stand out once it’s listed, consider working with a professional photographer.
Nowadays, it’s easy to snap a few photos on a smartphone and post them on a listing site. While that’s certainly better than nothing, you’ll attract more people with sharp, professional-looking photos. It might feel like an investment to hire a photographer, but it’s a worthwhile one.
9. Set a Realistic Price
It’s important to have realistic expectations as you sell your property. You want to maximize the value of your home, but you don’t want to be unreasonable about the terms of sale. It’s okay to shoot a bit high as you list, since most people negotiate before they buy. However, remain realistic and you’re more likely to get multiple offers that you can play around with.
10. Work With a Home Stager
You’ve made upgrades, cleaned, and repaired everything in your home. But, there’s one more thing you can do to get it ready to sell and make it more appealing – work with a home stager to help your house look its best.
A professional stager will go through each room and adjust and decorate it to be more visually appealing. You might be surprised by how much a few simple changes can completely transform a room into exactly what potential buyers are looking for.
There’s a lot to consider and take care of as you get your house ready for a sale. However, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following the above tips, you may be able to take some of that pressure away. Keep these tips in mind as you get ready to sell and do what you can to enjoy the process.
