If you’re planning to sell your home, preparation is key to maximizing its value and attracting buyers quickly. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get ready:
Assess Your Home’s Condition
Start by walking through your home with fresh eyes. Try to see your home as a buyer would—look for visible damage, clutter, and needed repairs. Next make a list of any repairs that are needed. Note issues like leaky faucets, cracked tiles, or chipped paint. If you’re not confident in your assessment, consider getting a pre-inspection. This can identify hidden problems early, allowing you to address them before listing.
Enhance Curb Appeal
What kind of first impression will your home make on potential buyers when they pull up to your house? Evaluate your landscaping. Keep the lawn mowed, trim overgrown shrubs, and add colorful flowers for a welcoming touch. Then take time to paint and clean the exterior of your home. A fresh coat of paint on the front door and power washing the exterior can make a huge difference. Could your lighting use an upgrade? Well-lit walkways and clean, working entry lights create a warm and inviting atmosphere. These simple updates can dramatically improve your home’s curb appeal.
Declutter and Depersonalize
Inside the home, it’s important to declutter and depersonalize the space. You want buyers to be able to picture themselves living in your home, so minimize the amount of personal items you have on display. To accomplish this remove family photos, personal collections, and excess decorations. Then clear out the clutter! You’re not cleaning up clutter just like you would for a dinner guest, you need to organize closets, cabinets, and storage areas since buyers often look inside these spaces. If necessary, consider some outside storage solutions. You may need to rent a storage unit to help you temporarily move out excess furniture and belongings.
Deep Clean Every Room
It might not be fun, but it will definitely enhance your home to deep clean every room. If you’re short on time and energy, give special attention to these three key areas:
- Floors and Carpets: Shampoo carpets, mop floors, and scrub grout.
- Windows and Blinds: Make sure windows are spotless to let in natural light.
- Kitchen and Bathrooms: These are high-impact areas—clean every surface thoroughly.
Make Small Upgrades
Minor upgrades can have a major effect. In the kitchen you can replace outdated hardware, refresh or repaint cabinets, or install modern light fixtures for an updated look. In the bathroom, adding fresh towels, updating fixtures, and adding a new shower curtain can make a big difference. In any room of the home, you can give the walls a fresh coat of paint in neutral colors. Neutral tones make spaces look larger and allow buyers to envision their own décor.
Stage Your Home
Staging your home helps it appeal to the widest range of potential buyers by showcasing its best features, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, and allowing buyers to envision themselves living there. A well-staged home can sell faster and often for a higher price. Start by arranging your furniture to highlight the room’s flow and create open, inviting areas that feel spacious and functional. Next, highlight key areas of your home. Showcase features like fireplaces, large windows, or unique architectural details. Finally, add some fresh touches to the space like a bowl of fruit in the kitchen, fresh flowers, and clean linens. All of these items can add warmth to your home.
Research the Market and Set a Price
To set an appropriate price for your home, look at local comparable (comp) home prices. Select recently sold homes in your area, ideally within the last 3–6 months, that are similar in size, age, style, condition, and location to your property. Then compare square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, lot size, upgrades, and amenities (like a pool or finished basement) and adjust for any major differences. You might want to get a professional appraisal or CMA. A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) can help set a competitive price. Most importantly, avoid overpricing your home. Overpriced homes tend to stay on the market longer, causing buyers to wonder why or what might be wrong with your property.
Find a Real Estate Agent (If Applicable)
If you decide to use a real estate agent, look for one with local expertise. An agent familiar with your area can help with pricing, marketing, and negotiations. It’s also wise to interview multiple agents. When interviewing agents ask about their experience, marketing strategies, and commission rates. This allows you to choose the agent who best meets your specific needs and priorities.
Prepare for Showings
Whether you’re working with an agent or selling your home yourself, being well-prepared for showings is essential. Having a flexible schedule is key, so that you can be prepared for last-minute showings. You can stay prepped and ready by keeping your home clean and ready. Maintain cleanliness daily, especially in kitchens and bathrooms since these are the areas that offer the greatest resale value. Also make sure that your valuables are secure. During showings, multiple strangers may walk through your property, and it can be difficult to monitor everyone. Safeguarding items like jewelry, electronics, financial documents, and personal information helps prevent theft, loss, or misuse. It’s a simple but important step in maintaining security while your home is on the market.
Final Checklist Before Listing
- Verify all repairs are completed.
- Ensure landscaping is well-maintained.
- Check that all lights are functioning and bright.
- Have your home professionally photographed for listing.
Getting your home ready to sell is crucial because it helps make a strong first impression, attracts more potential buyers, and can lead to a faster sale at a higher price. At My Three Sons Painting, we offer all the services you need to sell your home for the best price. We would be happy to help you make the needed changes to maximize your home’s value. Call us at 859-321-7344, or click the button below for a free quote.
