Whether you’re getting your home ready to sell in a hot seller’s market or a slower buyer’s market, you’re going to want to get the highest possible price. And that doesn’t just happen by chance. There’s a lot of planning and an endless list of projects ahead, so let’s dig in to see how you can be as successful as possible and get the most profit from your sale.
Know the Market & Your Home’s Value
It’s always good to know what homes are going for in your neighborhood. It’s vital that you’re realistic about what you can get. Plus, if you do any upgrades or renovations, you don’t want to spend too much and never get your money back. If there are homes near you for sale, go to the open houses, pick up their flyers, and compare their home to yours.
If you visit, Zillow Zestimate, you can see how much your home is worth. Although it’s not as accurate as an appraisal – you can get an idea.
Get the Interior Basics Done
You might not need everything on this list, but it’s a good starting point. Go through it and see what you need to get done to have your home looking its best.
- Deep Clean – do it yourself or hire someone, but you’ll want your home sparkling. Make sure to have the windows professionally washed – it’s worth it, especially if you have a view.
- Declutter – go through everything and put it in piles – donate, sell, toss.
- Garage Sale – if you have time and want to, have a garage sale to clear things out and make a few bucks.
- Depersonalize – anything that says “you” and get it packed away. That includes family photos, magnets on the frig, and knick-knacks.
- Half-Empty Closets – a packed closet tells buyers they won’t have enough room. A closet half-full tells a buyer they’ll have plenty of room.
- Get Rid of Odors – sometimes, it’s hard to detect smells in your own house. If needed, get the help of a friend’s nose. You especially want to get rid of any animal smells.
- Buy Light Bulbs – or any showings – day or night, you’ll want to have the place lit up! Have extra light bulbs on hand, so you’re prepared.
- Paint – you don’t have to go nuts and paint the entire interior unless it needs it. But it’s good to touch up any walls, baseboards, and door jams that need it. If you have any rooms with super bright or dark colors, repaint them with neutral tones.
Get the Exterior Basics Done
Having the exterior of your home looking its best can make the difference in an interested buyer or one who drives off. It’s all about curb appeal and making your home inviting. Go through this list below and see what you can do yourself or have done by a professional.
- Clean the Gutters – you don’t want any leaves and dirt sticking to the outside of the gutters making everything look unkempt.
- Pressure Wash – pressure washing is a great way to get rid of dirt and grime and make everything look good. Hit the exterior, garage door, sidewalks, driveway, porch, eaves, gutters, and outside furniture.
- Pick up – of course, make sure nothing is lying around the yard like toys, bikes, or old flowerpots.
- Touch Up Paint – Just like we talked about for the interior, you might not have to paint everything. Painting the trim alone can make a big difference. Ensure the front door, railings, and porch look clean and fresh.
- Fresh Flowers – Whether on the porch in pots or flowerbeds, fresh flowers with bright blooms make a house look cheerful and welcoming.
- Keep the Lawn Up – mow, trim, fertilizer – do whatever you need to so your lawn looks lush and green.
- Trim Bushes – if you have bushes and trees around your home, remove any dead branches and especially make sure the bushes are neatly trimmed.
- Curb Appeal – once you’ve done all that, take a step back and see if there is anything else you can improve on. You want to make an excellent first impression – even if it’s just initially with your real estate agent.
Shop for the Right Listing Agent
Speaking of real estate agents, it’s vital that you pick one that can get the job done. Do some research first and read reviews. For example, someone looking for a loan could feel confident about using Homestead Financial Mortgage because of our hundreds of five-star reviews on Zillow.
So, start by checking out reviews on Google and Zillow. You’ll want to work with an agent that’s available when you need them, and one that knows the areas you’re interested in. Make sure they have experience and top negotiation skills.
Ask for Suggestions & Feedback
When interviewing agents, if they’re in your home, ask them for their opinion on what they think you should fix, upgrade, or renovate. That will give you lots of different perspectives, plus an idea of which agent would work best for you.
Get a Home Inspection
Sometimes borrowers don’t want to spend the money on a home inspection, but it’s worth it. One of the significant advantages is that it relieves some of the mystery of what will appear when potential buyers hire their own inspectors.
Most inspectors will come up with a mile-long report, but don’t worry – you don’t have to fix everything. You’d mainly want to fix anything that would make the loan fall through like a leaking roof or electrical problems.
Go Over the Inspection Report with Your Agent
Once you have the report from the home inspector, go over it with your agent and find out what you should fix. Highlight the items to focus on and number them in order of importance.
Decide What to Fix & Upgrade
In addition to whatever comes up on the inspection, see if any other work needs to be done. And make sure you’re keeping in mind the cost vs. rewards.
How’s the Kitchen?
Most kitchens need attention unless they’re newly renovated. That’s because it’s the kitchen that sells the house. Don’t do an entire remodel. You’d be surprised at how much of a difference paint, a new countertop, and cabinet knobs can make.
Stage Your Home
If your home looks cramped with furniture and you can afford to – rent a storage unit to move half your furniture out, you’ll create a more spacious look in your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers. You can also store things that you won’t need but will just be cluttering things up. Staging your home can make a huge difference and that means more cash in your pocket.
Plan for Showings
Once your home is ready, plan out when you want showings. Do you want open houses every weekend or only one day on the weekend? What about during the weekdays and evenings. It’s essential to set a schedule so you can be prepared.
Always be Available for Buyers
Every morning, pick up and have the house ready to show. That way, if someone wants to view your home, it’s available right away. If you have pets, find someplace they can go during showings. Some buyers don’t like pets, and you don’t want Fido to blow the deal.
Getting Your Home Ready to Sell is Hard Work!
But it’s worth it. Follow our list above, and before you know it, your home will sell, and you’ll be living in a new one. And speaking of a new home, make sure to keep Homestead Financial Mortgage in mind when it comes time to get a new mortgage. Contact us today.