Here are some tips that will help you get your home ready to sell. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or if you would like my recommendations.
BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO SELL YOUR HOME:
- Call your Realtor – find out what your home is worth & current market conditions
- Make sure you understand the costs involved in selling your home and how much you will net. Can you afford to buy/rent something new based on the proceeds
- If you plan on purchasing a new home, speak to a lender to make sure you will qualify for a new mortgage
- Have a plan in place of when/where you will move
BEFORE YOU LIST YOUR HOME:
- Declutter your home – less really is more and decluttering will make your home appear larger
- Neutralize odors – pet and cigarette smells are two of the biggest turnoffs when potential buyers enter a home
- De-personalize – it is often difficult for potential Buyers to envision themselves in the home – with their family – when they see a lot of photos (and personal belongings) of another
- Make a list of any repairs/updates you have done on the home
- Gather important documents about your home: mortgage statement/payoff, insurance information (including costs), warranty information, HOA documents, survey/4 point/wind mitigation (if you have)
- Have your title company do a preliminary title search on the property to make sure there are no surprises
- Give the home a deep cleaning – and don’t forget the windows
- Repair major issues with the home
- Be careful with renovations – potential Buyers may not have the same taste as you – that new wood floor you just installed may mean nothing to a Buyer that wants tile
- Pay special attention to your homes curb appeal – this is a Buyer’s first impression of the home
- Price your home appropriately. Nothing can delay the sale of your home more than it being overpriced
ONCE YOU LIST YOUR HOME:
- Have a plan of what you will do with your pets during a showing
- Place valuables, medications and weapons in a secure location
- Make sure all lightbulbs are working – and open the blinds for all showings. Most buyers want a light and bright home
- While most buyers will understand you are still living in the home and it will not be photo-ready for all showings, keep the home as clean and orderly as possible