Last Updated on September 25, 2023 by Kravelv
Selling a house is more than just hanging a "for sale" sign in the front yard. It requires a little more effort to make it a more enticing property for potential buyers. Investing time and energy into preparing your house for the open house will increase your chances of getting high offers from prospective buyers.
You should be clear about why you're selling the house and when-is it a year from now or in the next few months? All of this will dictate your planning and schedule. Having an organized and planned set of actions will save you from a lot of stress and anxiety.
Things To Do Before Putting Your House On Sale:
Buyers pay a lot of attention to detail when purchasing a home, so here is a list of things you should do to increase the value of your property:
1. Consider Moving Out
If you have the financial ability and a place to go, you should consider moving out before scheduling any repairs or home improvement projects. Empty homes are convenient for staging and showings. If you move out, you won't have to worry about keeping the space spick and span, which is a little hard to do when you have people inhabiting a space. Consider hiring movers if you are moving a long distance, are pressed for time, or just want to avoid stress. Conduct thorough research, read online reviews, and check if they are licensed. Try to hire the best local movers you can find. This step will help ensure that your move is handled efficiently.
2. Deep Clean And Declutter:
For a house to look inviting and livable, it has to be clean. It should be your priority to do a thorough, deep clean of the whole house. Start with cleaning the windows and window sills, bathrooms, closets, mopping floors, and removing any marks or splashes on the wall. Do an odor check of the house; your house should smell fresh and clean. Consider decluttering while you're at it. A messy home might overwhelm the buyer and turn them away.
3. Make Repairs:
If you have been living in the house for a long time, chances are it has endured some damage, which may decrease the value of your property. Take stock of all the things that need repairs and get around to fixing them. Whether it's a missing tile, squeaky doors and fixtures, or cracks in the flooring, take everything into account.
Inspect the exterior; is the patio damaged, or is the lawn unevenly cut? Most importantly, look at your roof. Is a shingle missing? Is it old, leaking, or damaged? Hire a handyman to get rid of any faults that might hinder your sale.
Fix or update all appliances around your kitchen, and make sure you address all the plumbing problems.
4. Research Your Local Housing Market:
Before putting your house on the market, the first and foremost thing you should do is research your local real estate listings. Compare the housing prices in your neighborhood. You should keep in mind the square footage, location, and features. According to Redfin, as of August 2023, the US housing market had demonstrated steady growth in median home prices. Research will help you figure out the real value of your property.
5. Depersonalize:
The main goal is to help prospective buyers fall in love with the home so that they can picture themselves inhabiting the space. You should remove anything personal so the house is a clean slate for the prospective buyer to imagine and envision their life in the house. Completely depersonalizing the house might be hard, but removing your stamp from the place will help in the selling process.
6. Upgrade The Lighting:
The lighting plays a significant role in creating the overall ambiance of the house. Take a look around and take stock of all the lighting fixtures. Replace any bulbs that need changing. Upgrade any outdated fixture. Lighting affects the overall mood and colors of a space. Use a mixture of natural, ambient, and accent lighting. Carry out a room-by-room assessment and devise a plan that makes the space brighter and more inviting.
7. Paint:
A fresh coat of paint will go a long way. Sticking to a neutral color palette will be the way to go because these tones go with anything and help the buyer visualize the living space as their own. The paint will also hide any imperfections or any chipped or peeling walls, creating a bright, clean, and inviting environment.
8. Take Photos For The Real-Estate Listing:
The first thing potential buyers do is look at the listings online. Take good photos that show the best of the space. These photos would provide the first impression of your property before they see it in person. Your main goal is to ensure that these listings highlight the best features and entice the potential buyer to set up a private showing.
9. Stage:
The final step in selling a house is to set the stage. First impressions are everlasting. It is crucial to stand out in the competitive housing market. But you don't need to spend loads of money. A little bit goes a long way, like adding fresh flowers in the entryway or foyer, adding an aesthetic bowl of fruits on the kitchen counter, or throwing a cozy throw over the living room sofa. Add fluffy towels, floor mats, and decorative soaps to the bathrooms. You could highlight architectural details, windows, or the fireplace with a painting or decorative items. The front yard should be immaculate, the plants pruned and neat, and the grass should be freshly cut and presentable.
How you prepare for a showing will determine whether you'll make the sale and the time it'll take to sell.
The Last Word:
When selling a home, look at it with an objective eye. You might have been living in the space for a while and might be overlooking some things; remove yourself and look at the house from the buyer's perspective. Assess everything and do the required work. These little details will not only help you sell the place faster but will also potentially increase the value of the property.