Selling a house can be a significant milestone in one’s life, whether you’re moving to a new city, downsizing, or simply embracing a fresh chapter.
While the process of selling a home is certainly exciting, it can also be daunting, as it involves careful planning, meticulous preparation, and strategic decision-making.
One crucial aspect that can make all the difference in attracting potential buyers and securing a favorable deal is ensuring that your house is ready for the market.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through 4 essential steps to get your house primed and polished for a swift and successful sale. Whether you’re an experienced homeowner or a first-time seller, this blog post will provide you with insight and practical tips to maximize your home’s sale value.
- Complete Any Needed Repairs
- Address Minor Maintenance Items
- Staging – Declutter, Depersonalize, and Clean
- Curb Appeal
1. Complete Any Needed Repairs
The first thing you want to do in order to get your house ready to sell is to make sure major repairs are completed, specifically items that affect the safety and functionality of the home.
I am not talking about cosmetic or preference items. I am talking about items that need to be in working order for someone to live in the home safely and comfortably. For example, HVAC, electrical issues, roof leaks, plumbing leaks, working appliances, foundation repair, etc.
A home free of major repairs will help you to capture its highest value as well as avoid any roadblocks to closing due to the inspection or appraisal.
2. Address Minor Maintenance Items
Secondly, you should address minor maintenance items. This is low hanging fruit but it shows that you care about the details. Two very specific examples of this are changing your AC filters and replacing any burnt out light bulbs.
If you’re not already in the habit of replacing your AC filters every 90 days, now is the time to start! This is already a wise thing to do, but having it done before buyers (and an inspector) comes through shows you care about maintaining the home. You don’t want a buyer to question the functionality of the HVAC system because they see a dirty filter.
Why light bulbs? Partly the same reason, but also because listing photos with missing light bulbs look terrible!
3. Staging – Declutter, Depersonalize, and Clean
Next, we want to stage the home for photos. The first impression a buyer will have of your home is from the photos that they see online. That is why I emphasize getting the house photo ready through basic staging.
I am not talking about hiring an expert to bring in new furniture and decor (though that can certainly be an option for certain situations). I am talking about basic steps that every homeowner can take: decluttering, depersonalizing, and cleaning.
Start by picking up and putting away items where they belong. Remove items off of countertops, nightstands, dressers, vanities, desks, furniture, etc. This is also a great opportunity to sell those items you have been meaning to get rid of.
Depersonalizing includes removing family photos, awards, and any other items of a personal nature. This recommendation is sometimes controversial and I definitely think it is less important than decluttering, but experts have stated that people have a harder time feeling like they could make a home their own when they see someone else’s photos on the wall. (Plus, do you want your family photos all over the internet? Because they will be if they show up in the listing photos.)
Once you’ve staged the home for photos, it’s time to clean! Vacuum and mop the entire house. Dust the blinds. Clean out the oven (yes, people will look inside and make an assessment based on how clean it is). Deep clean the bathrooms. Etc.
4. Curb Appeal
Last but not least, if the first impression a buyer will have is from the photos on the internet, then the second impression a buyer will have will be from the street when they pull up for the showing. You took care of the inside, now take care of the outside!
Freshen up your mulch, plant sod in dead spots, trim your bushes and trees, plant some flowers, pressure wash the walkway and siding (if needed), and clean (or paint) your front door. You don’t have to hire a landscaping company to redesign your whole front yard. Just spend a weekend freshening up the exterior.
In Conclusion
Most of these items cost very little (outside of any major repairs) but can make a big impact and can be the difference between a buyer choosing your house and the house down the street.
It matters to buyers when you show that you care. They want to know they are purchasing something that has been cared for and maintained by the previous owner. That’s why I recommend these 4 simple ways to maximize your home’s sale value!
If you’re thinking about selling, contact Edgewater Realty today for a free seller consultation! We will review everything listed above and MORE to help you make the best decision on your home sale.
Click the link here to schedule an appointment today and we will walk you through your options for selling.