Selling a house is rarely a straightforward process. Even if you’ve kept your home updated, there is plenty of work that should be done before getting your listing photos taken. Gone are the days of simply listing your house as is.
While the amount of work and effort that you put into your home before selling is different for everyone depending on the state of their home and their ultimate goals, it’s more or less expected that some preparation and home staging will be done.
Spending some time, energy and money on your property can go a long way in attracting buyers and getting a better price for your home. But rather than tackling these steps at random, it’s best to sit down and come up with a plan. The first step is to know what strategies should be high on your list of priorities. Read on to learn some of the best methods for getting your house and property ready to sell this year to get the attention of buyers and a better price.
Get the Advice of a Professional
Source: build-review.com
When getting your house and property ready to sell, it’s worthwhile to speak to a real estate agent before beginning any major home renovation projects with the intent of increasing your home’s value, according to Shawnlepp.com. While minor repairs and updates can and should be done, when it comes to investing in significant renovations or redesigns, you should run your plans past your agent to get their opinion.
A local real estate agent is living and breathing the local real estate market daily. They talk to home buyers regularly, and they know what those buyers are looking for and prioritizing in their search. Your agent will be able to provide advice on what areas of your home most need improvements to appeal to local buyers. This can prevent you from sinking your budget into areas that might not be of great concern to buyers and help you focus your budget on areas that will bring a higher return on investment.
Another thing to keep in mind is that despite being significant investments, homeowners are also generally emotionally attached to their homes, and it’s often difficult to view their own homes with an impartial lens. That’s what makes an experienced local real estate agent so invaluable. They provide a professional, unbiased view of your home, which is an essential resource when planning to sell it.
Declutter Your Belongings
There are several things you want to accomplish as you prepare your home to sell. You want to promote the impression of your home being bigger and more spacious, and you also want to depersonalize your home to create a blank canvas for buyers to imagine their own lives there. Decluttering is an effective way to accomplish both of these things.
Decluttering includes going through your belongings, room by room, and deciding what to keep, what to sell and what to donate or recycle. This has the benefit of reducing your belongings before moving, so you don’t have to take up space in the moving truck with items you no longer need or want. But while the idea of decluttering your home to get a better price comes as a surprise to some people, what comes as an even bigger surprise is the amount of work this task can be.
It takes time to go through a house full of belongings and decide what to keep and what to get rid of. Additionally, the task itself can bring up a lot of emotions — good, bad, and everywhere in between — which can prolong the amount of time it takes. It’s wise to start the process as early as possible so you can give yourself plenty of breaks and avoid taking on too much all at once.
Make Minor Repairs
Source: realhomes.com
While major renovations should be discussed with your real estate agent, there are some basic repairs and touch-ups should be done to address any existing issues. Tasks like putting up a fresh coat of paint, fixing leaking faucets, addressing doors that squeak or stick, or repairing any cracks in the driveway or walkways are all tasks that will improve the look of your home with little time or financial investment.
Additionally, not addressing these types of issues can make buyers think that your home isn’t well-cared for and make them worry there will be significant and costly repairs needed.
Get Smart
Smart home technology adds convenience to everyday life. When selling your house, adding a few smart home features will give the immediate impression that your home is up-to-date and cutting-edge. What’s more, is that many of these gadgets are affordable and yet give off the impression of luxury.
Installing smart door locks, thermostats, lighting, home security systems and more can all go a long way in setting your home apart from the competition and making your home more appealing to potential buyers.
Elevate Your Exterior
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The importance of focusing on curb appeal cannot be understated when getting your house ready to sell. Your home’s exterior is the first thing buyers see, and the impression it gives can be make or break. If your exterior looks unkempt and uncared for, buyers will likely be turned off no matter how stunning or incredible the interior is. On the other hand, if you spend a little time enhancing your curb appeal, it makes a stellar first impression of your home that will be difficult to diminish.
There are a myriad of things you can do to amp up your home’s curb appeal, depending on your budget and the amount of time you want to spend on it. Some of the simpler jobs include repainting your front door, fixing up your roof, power washing your exterior, replacing your house numbers and lighting fixtures and keeping up with lawn and garden maintenance.
More involved or expensive tasks include investing in a new roof or windows, hiring a professional landscaping company or replacing your siding.
Make a plan for improving your house and property using this list to make them more appealing to potential buyers and get a good price for your home.
