How to get ready to sell your home

As a Realtor and Designer, I’m usually approached by people that want advice regarding putting their property on the market for sale.

Few people realize, though, that the process is a little more involved and pricier than they thought.  It’s important to be realistic and plan carefully in advance.

How to start?  Seek professional advice and trust them. I usually recommend my clients start with a basic list of things to do and then I help customize it in different ways depending on my client needs.

Start with something like this:

1. 1. If you are going to sell your home and it’s not vacant yet, you need to start getting ready sooner rather than later. Put at least 50% of your belongings in a storage unit outside the house. That includes decluttering all your drawers, closets, and cupboards. Remove stuff laying around tables, countertops, shelves, etc. Donate, recycle, get rid of items you kept in your garage for years. It’s time.

   2. Get a home inspection before buyers do. I can’t tell you how many times buyers decided to back off and withdraw offers on a house after they found that major (expensive) items needed to be fixed. Sometimes, even if the seller offers to give a credit in lieu of repairs, buyers today don’t want to go through the hassle of taking care of them and prefer a “stress free” purchase. Buyers want “peace of mind” knowing that the home is structurally and functionally sound. It’s also important for the seller because the sooner these issues are addressed, the quicker you’ll get an offer.  Buyers sometimes estimate the cost of repairs much greater than actual cost.  A home inspection will help you address immediate and important things like leaks, clogs, cracks, breaks, holes, safety issues, etc.

   3. Talk to your Realtor to decide about the most important items on your to-do list. Realtors know your local real estate market very well. They will prepare a comparative market analysis and will tell you how your home compares to others. They will also point out the features that are more prominent in your neighborhood and help you prepare a list of repairs that address not only function but also appeal. It’s not a secret that many costly items will probably include discussions around roof, HVAC and/or electrical systems, basements, water heaters, etc. Important cosmetic updates are always related to kitchen and baths, landscaping, and curb appeal.

   4. Prepare your budget and timeline. Be mindful, some of these repairs will probably take a few days and your routine will be disrupted. You will need to accommodate and maybe even live through some renovations. Every update/upgrade will give you a different ROI. Set your expectations accordingly. Even if you don’t recoup much, some renovations are still necessary. You also have several options to pay for the repairs. For instance, borrowing against your own 401K, getting a home equity loan or a renovation loan, hiring a home improvement company that will offer to do the renovations first and charge you later at the time you sell your home, etc. Talk to your Realtor, Lender, Financial Advisor or Home Improvement specialist or click here to request more info.

   5. Clean and de-personalize. Make sure your house always looks presentable. There is never a second chance to get a first impression. Remove memorabilia, pictures, political or religious items. Clean the attic, garage, closets, kitchen cabinets and drawers, pantry, refrigerator, etc. If you have pets, try to change carpets or rugs, use cleaning items that don’t mask odors but neutralize them instead. Don’t cover windows or use heavy or dark curtains. People in general love homes that look airy and with plenty of light.

   6. Go neutral. Yes, I mentioned before not to be afraid to show some personality but, by the same token, you should also try to appeal to most buyers. Stay away from trendy bold colors and décor. Did you know that if you need to paint, there are more than 60 shades of whites, 100+ shades of beige and gray and so on? Your walls could look a bit different depending on the amount of natural light, the furnishings, and the contrasting colors in your home as well. Need some help choosing? Click here.

   7. Don’t skip easy and not-so-expensive updates. You’d be amazed to see how much difference it makes to replace old yellowish switches and outlets on walls, hardware on doors, cabinets or drawers, lighting in bathrooms and hallways. Ditch the old 70s/80s look and choose a little more modern/contemporary fixtures even if your home is a colonial or rustic.

Your home is your most important and biggest investment. Keep it well-maintained throughout the years and you may not need to face many repair issues at once. The right balance between home improvements and curb appeal will help you sell it fast and for top dollar!