Whether you already have your home on the market or are preparing for when the sign goes up, getting your home ready for sale is more than just advertising it in different ways. Selling a home is a lot more time consuming and requires a lot more work than you may think, so it’s important for you to be well aware of what you need to do to generate a quick and fair sale. No matter what selling stage you’re at, consider these six tips for getting your home ready for sale.
- Assess the market.
Before you decide on a list price for your home, it’s important to assess the market. Is it currently a buyer’s market or a seller’s market? Have you looked at comparable properties in your area to see what they’re selling for? Knowing all this information can help you determine if now is the right time to put your house on the market and what price you should designate for your home. If you notice the market isn’t doing that great and you’re not in a rush, you may want to hold off on putting your house up for sale until it evens back out.
- Find a realtor.
There’s always the option to sell by owner, but a licensed realtor can help you get your house on the market with the right advertising in front of the right buyers. A realtor will take care of all the necessary steps, making sure your home is properly listed and marketed to potential buyers. Plus, your realtor will do a lot of the heavy lifting for you, meaning they’ll search the comparables in the area and provide their expert opinion on what you should list the house for. This can make the selling process much more hassle-free. If you’re looking for a reputable cincinnati realtor or a similar real estate expert in your area, ask friends and family members if they have any recommendations or do a quick search in your area to see who you can find to help sell your home efficiently and at the right price.
- Fix major issues.
If there are major issues throughout your home, fixing these can help you get more money for your home. According to Fix It Right Plumbing at https://www.fixitrightplumbing.com.au/plumber-chadstone/, “Major underlying issues such as leaky pipes or faucets could end up creating more damage over time. Most homeowners don’t want to take on a major project after moving in, so ignoring these issues will either keep you from selling your home or only allow you to sell it for a significantly reduced price.” Before you put your house on the market, be sure that any and all major issues have been properly cared for.
- Make your home livable.
Many potential buyers want to feel like they’re at home when walking into a potential house, so be sure you make your home livable. This means removing any personal items from walls, fridges, tabletops, etc. Opting for plain furniture and paint colors can also be more enticing than opting for colors or furniture that are vibrant and possibly obnoxious. The more you can do to create a livable environment from the moment potential buyers walk into your home, the better it will be for your sale.
- Don’t ignore the outside.
Many homeowners make the mistake of focusing solely on the interior when getting a house ready for sale, but the outside is just as important. In fact, the curb appeal of your home may just be the most important. Consider this: if potential buyers are driving through the neighborhood and looking at homes for sale, and they come in front of your home and it’s dilapidated, they’ll continue driving. However, if they stop at your house and notice a freshly manicured lawn and attractive exterior finishes, it will entice them to want to come inside a check it out.
- Have a realistic timeline.
Trying to sell a home can be a time-consuming process, so it’s important for you to have a realistic timeline. For instance, if you’re in a rush to sell your home, you may want to take the necessary steps to sell quickly, such as lowering your asking price. However, if you’re not in a rush, you should also know how long it could take to sell a home. Even if you were to get an offer quickly, the actual process to close on a house could take longer than expected. Keep this in mind if you’re purchase of a new house is contingent on the sale of your current home.
Selling a house can be a stressful experience. However, the more you plan ahead, the more prepared you can be to make it less stressful. By using these tips, you’ll get your home ready for sale in the best way possible.
Vickie Couturier says
wish i had this check list when we sold our house would have saved me a lot of time
Cami Valenzuela says
Thank you for the tips. Eventually we plan on selling the house.
Holly Thomas says
These are all great tips, especially curb appeal!
Veronica Lee says
Thank you for these very helpful tips.