Spending some time and making an effort upfront to get your house ready for showings will typically increase the probability of receiving offers soon after you list your house. The longer your home stays on the market, the more difficult it can be to sell.
Things like repairs, staging, and cleaning can help bring in better offers, but they can also be a time-consuming and expensive process.
This detailed guide will help you prepare your house for sale; that way, you will get the most value from the effort and time you put in.
Evaluate your house and make a plan
Normal deterioration can add up, particularly if you’ve lived in your house for an extended time. It is easy to ignore minor problems that seem like quirks; we often forget that door that squeaks or a window that sticks, or even a toilet that runs until you jiggle the handle.
Potential buyers may think of these minor issues as problems that decrease the value of your property during the closing process. If you have excessive noticeable repairs at home, buyers may wonder if there are several more serious issues they are not aware of, which could stop them from making a good offer for your house.
Inspect your property room by room, making notes of repairs that need to be made. Pay special attention to holes or dents in walls. Floors should be totally free from cracks or chips.
Check your kitchen to ensure that appliances are working perfectly. Look at the cabinets and drawers to make sure that they open and close adequately. Faucets and drains must be leak-free and operational in the kitchen and bathrooms. Bathroom tubs and showers can not have broken tiles. It is also advised to look for signs of mold and water damage.
Clean and Declutter your house
Big kitchens, bathrooms, and storage have a tendency to be among the best selling points so they can help to make your rooms look as spacious as possible. Professional home stagers recommend that you remove 50% of your items
Declutter and organize all the spaces in your house. Buyers like to look inside closets, cabinets, attics, and basements. Use storage containers that can be hidden under beds or neatly stacked in a basement or closet. Baskets for cubbies inside cabinets can make things look neat and clean.
Decluttering includes furniture. Be sure that furnishings don’t block doors, windows, or architectural features.
Depersonalize your house
Besides cleaning and decluttering, it is also advised to depersonalize your home. This is to facilitate potential buyers to picture themselves living there and imaging their belongings inside.
Neutralize the space by taking away items like family photos, souvenirs, religious symbols, diplomas and certificates, and personal items.
Paint where it needs it most
Painting is among the most common recommendations realtors make to sellers before they list their property. Paint can make a difference and help small rooms look larger and highlight architectural details, like crown molding and trim. Experts highly recommend warm neutral colors, such as beige, tan, gold, gray, and beige. Because these shades go with anything, they can help buyers to picture their belongings in your home.
Set the stage
Staging your home is the last step of the process. The purpose is to make an excellent first impression so that buyers put your home at the very top of their list. Keep in mind that you don’t need to spend a lot of money and break the bank; just a few simple and affordable updates can make a room feel and look new.