Is My Home ready to Sell?

Putting your home up for sale enters you into a competition with other like properties for sale. To maximize your sale price, stand out from the competition and sell quickly, your home needs to go on the market in tip-top condition.

Prepping the home rarely happens in one weekend. It takes time and thoughtful planning. If you intend to sell your home, here are a few steps you need to take first to get your home ready to sell.

Talk to a Realtor

The sale of your home is likely one of your biggest financial transactions. It only makes sense to consult with a Realtor early in the process — even before you are ready to sell — to benefit from their knowledge and experience. Smart planning and a good strategy will ensure a quick, painless and profitable home sale.

Have your home inspected

It may seem counter-intuitive to spend money on a property inspection, but you need to know about your home’s condition. If there are issues — big or small — that you need to address, it is better to know about them early so you can either remedy them prior to going to market or account for them in the selling strategy you plan with your Realtor. The last thing you want is for the buyer to uncover flaws once they are under contract. You may get stuck paying more under those circumstances than it would cost you to address the issues now, or you may lose a buyer.

Stash your stuff

As you prepare to sell, think of your home as an investment and start to see it through the eyes of potential buyers and the market. When you’re trying to sell your home, you want buyers to be able to envision themselves in the home. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to the marketability of your home to present it to buyers as their home, not yours.

Put away personal items like photos and religious items, and store furniture that doesn’t fit well. Unclutter by storing or putting away all the things you won’t be using until you move into your new home. In the kitchen, make space in the cabinets for items you will need to use daily, but will want to put away for showings.

Paint, clean and make small improvements

It’s common for sellers to make cosmetic improvements before they list. Kitchens and bathrooms sell your home. Plan to have the bathroom grout cleaned and have some parts of the house painted to give it a fresh look.

Consider cleaning rugs, refinishing hardwood floors or painting kitchen cabinets. Get your Realtor’s advice and ask for referrals to do the work. There are lots of inexpensive contractors who can help spruce up your home quickly.

When it’s time to sell your home, Jeff Johnson is ready to help. Check out our Seller Services.