Tips to Prepare your Home for Sale
Written by Skylar Ross for Nest Realty Greater Louisville
Listing your home can be an overwhelming time. It can seem like your to-do list is never-ending. However, there are numerous things you can do to make sure that you’re completely ready to sell.
If you’re like most people putting their home on the market, you want to get the most value for your property and pull in tons of potential buyers. Thankfully, there are many tried-and-true things you can check and do to make sure that your home is ready to sell.
#1: Make Any Obvious Repairs
Are there any repairs that you’ve needed to do, but you’ve been putting them off? Now’s the time to do them. Look for missing tiles, stained ceilings, shaky handrails, missing shingles, cracked floorboards, warped wallpaper, and more.
Over the years, these little problems can add up, and it’s easy to forget about them. Before you list, take the time to finally make those repairs you’ve meant to make. They’re usually relatively cheap and don’t take tons of time to complete, but they’ll go a long way towards boosting your property value and attracting buyers.
#2: Check on and Finish Up Those Unfinished Projects
Most homeowners have a few projects that they’ve started and never picked back up. Now’s the time to finish them. If you’ve been waiting to install those acrylic countertops, repaint the guest room, or weed the garden—take the time to finish those projects up.
These odd-and-end projects will wow potential buyers and make it that much easier to land a fair price for your home. The less a home buyer has to do when they move in, the better it is for them.
#3: Get an Inspection
Homebuyers will have a home inspected before they buy it. However, you can get ahead of the curve by doing an inspection now. An inspection will let you know before listing if you have any lingering issues that need repair. Often, inspectors can uncover problems you can’t see right away.
They’ll check out your plumbing, electric, insulation, framing, and more. If you live in an energy-efficient home, you might consider having an energy audit done, too. This is especially common for concrete homes or homes that have energy-efficient upgrades. Having an energy audit allows you to have proof for potential buyers of your home’s energy efficiency. They also give you areas to improve before listing.
#4: Boost Your Curb Appeal
Take a moment to walk outside your home and see how it appears from the curb. Does it make you want to look inside? Is it inviting? What does your home’s curb appeal say about your house?
Curb appeal is still an especially essential factor for potential buyers. You can boost your home’s curb appeal by doing landscaping, upgrading light fixtures, redoing the address numbers, painting the door a bold and inviting color, adding plants, cozying up the patio, and more. Ultimately, your goal with boosting curb appeal is to make potential buyers eager to see inside the house.
#5: Declutter and Deep Clean
Take some time to declutter. Eliminate any standing piles of clothes, toys, and papers. If your shelves are overstuffed and cluttered, take some time to clean them. Decluttering is all about making the home feel peaceful and easy to digest.
Once you’ve decluttered, take time to deep clean, too. You want to get all those cracks and crevices and really put some elbow grease into it. The cleaner your home is, the more welcoming it is for potential buyers.
#6: Depersonalize
Any Realtor will tell you that buyers must be able to see themselves in your home. They can’t do that adequately if your home is too personalized. Take time to remove anything that is uniquely you. Repaint the walls in neutral colors. Get rid of any busy decorations. Take down family photos and put away all the wild furniture. The more neutral your home, the easier it will be for potential buyers to see themselves in your house.
Get Ready to List Your House
Take the time to check these things off the list. Taking the time to do them will ensure that you get plenty of interested buyers. Additionally, taking these quick steps will also help you get the most money for your house.
Listing your home doesn’t have to be a stressful time. Tackle it one step at a time. Before you know it, you’ll have your house sold.
Skylar Ross is a contributor to the Innovative Materials blog. He is a content writer for the construction and home improvement industries with an interest in landscaping, outdoor remodeling, and interior design. Skylar is focused on educating homeowners, contractors, and architects on innovative materials and methods of construction that increase property value, improve sustainability, and create a warm and welcoming ambiance.