Occasionally we walk into someone’s home and they are ready to sign paperwork, get photos taken, an put their home on the market right away. But, that’s very rarely the case. For most folks, putting their home on the market is something that happens in stages, and preparing to list and show the home can take months. Careful planning and strategic preparation ahead of time can help reduce the stress of selling a home and more importantly, increase the bottom line. If you’re considering selling your home in 2019, here are 5 steps you should take now:
FIX ANYTHING THAT IS BROKEN
Cracked window panes, leaky toilets, faucets that don’t work or half-finished projects could spook buyers, making them fear that your home has lots of deferred maintenance. Nobody wants to buy a “money pit.”
UPGRADE ONLY IF IT WILL INCREASE YOUR BOTTOM LINE
Sometimes people assume they must updated, particularly kitchens and bathrooms, to get the most money come selling time. However, that isn’t always the case. It depends on the style of your home, its overall condition, the area inventory, and the condition of your home’s competition.
IMPROVE CURB APPEAL
First impressions are everything! Some buyers won’t click past the 1st picture or walk in the front door if the exterior isn’t picture perfect. Whether you opt for a traditional lawn with flowers and shrubs or drought-tolerant landscaping, your yard should be tidy and well cared for. You should either power wash or paint the exterior and make sure the front door is clean and attractive. A beautiful container plant or two, a fresh doormat, and welcoming seating on the porch will draw buyers inside.
DECLUTTER AND DEPERSONALIZE
This is a great one because it won’t cost you any money unless you invest in plastic tubs or bins to store some of that clutter in. You may find that you can live with less in your closets, on your counters and other surfaces. Simplify your furnishings, decor and personal photos. You want buyers to focus on your home, not your stuff.
CONSIDER WINDOW COVERINGS
If you’ve got dusty old blinds that won’t quite come totally clean or heavy, ornate drapes, consider removing them and replacing them with something more contemporary. You want to make sure that whatever you select will allow for lots of light into the space.
There is no set time that it takes folks to prepare their home for selling but it’s never too early to begin the process!
