Last updated on May 13th, 2023 at 06:36 am
Most homeowners want to sell their homes as fast as possible. Preparing your home for sale can be daunting; but with effort you can transform it into something that buyers will love and at the same time, reduce your stress.
Here are some tips on how to quickly prepare your house for sale without breaking the bank, especially since you’ll have closing costs to deal with later. The most common home improvements made by sellers are painting, removing clutter, and deep cleaning.
Follow this list as a guide, you’ll be able to make your home look its best and appeal to more buyers and get the money you want for property.
Preparing your House for sale: Common chores
Some of these things are expensive and take a lot of time like repairs. Other things like cleaning are cheap and make a big difference. Here is our take on repairs, buyer will see these as problems and just before closing they will use this as a negotiating tool to lower the price of the home even further. A seller may purchase a home inspection that will turn up any major repairs that should be made. You might as well fix those now!
1) Boost Curb Appeal with Landscaping
- Take care of any landscaping or curb appeal issues
One critical step in preparing any homes for sale is taking the time to spruce up the landscaping. This first impression can be make-or-break for potential buyers, so you want to ensure that your yard looks its best. This includes pruning the shrubs.
Don’t forget to pressure wash the driveway and walkways; you want a buyer to see a clean, well-maintained property when they pull up.
Trim any overgrown bushes, add some fresh mulch to the flower beds, and ensure the lawn is freshly mowed and there aren’t any weeds. If you have a garden, make sure it is well-tended. You might also consider planting colorful flowers to catch the eye. With a little work, you can increase your home’s value and make it more appealing to buyers.
2) Remove Clutter, Depersonalize & Stage the Property
- It’s important to declutter and depersonalize your home before putting it on the market
- According to Zillow the average cost of staging a home is $$2,900 to $5,250.
When people are selling their houses, first impressions are everything. Organization is paramount as you want buyers to walk in and see a clean space that looks well cared for.
One of the best ways to achieve this is to declutter your house before putting it on the market. This means organizing every room and getting rid of any unnecessary items, like old clothes or knick-knacks that you no longer need.
Buyers will look in your closets too. So don’t stash a bunch of stuff in there. You may want a storage unit just during the selling process. This can help increase space of your home.
By decluttering your house, you’ll make it look neater and more spacious, two qualities that are sure to appeal to buyers.
It’s also important to remember that potential buyers are looking for a blank canvas they can imagine making their own.
This means that your personal belongings and family photos should be out of sight, and your furniture should be arranged in a way that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Sellers might want to consider taking any artwork down that distracts someone. This is called depersonalizing. Consider adding decorative touches, such as fresh flowers or scented candles, to help create a welcoming atmosphere.
Stage your home to appeal to buyers You can increase the chances of making a quick and profitable sale by taking the time to stage your house properly.
- The average cost of staging a home is $1,700-$3,000.
- According to a study by Zillow, homes that are staged sell for 2-5% more than homes that are not staged.
- According to a study by the National Association of Realtors, 49% of buyers are willing to pay more for a home that is move-in ready.
- According to a study on Realtor.com staging a home increased the sale price by 1%-5%
Most homeowners want to sell their homes as quickly as possible. Preparing your home for sale can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips on how to quickly prepare your house for sale without breaking the bank, especially since you’ll have closing costs to deal with later.
The most common home improvements made by sellers are painting, decluttering, and deep cleaning. Follow this list as a guide, you’ll be able to make your home look its best and appeal to more buyers and get the money you want for property.
3) Give Everything a Thorough Clean
Before putting your house on the market, it’s essential to make sure that it is clean and presentable. Start by thoroughly cleaning all surfaces, including countertops, tabletops, cabinets, and floors. Be sure to dust ceiling fans, baseboards, and blinds.
Next, vacuum carpets and rugs, and mop hard floors. Cleaning windows should also be part of the process. If possible, try to do this before showing your house so the floors are freshly clean. Don’t forget about the fixtures like the ceiling fans, curtain rods, and towel racks.
Cleaning also means removing odors. If you have pets, and you have carpets, chances are there may be urine stains or odors that are emitted. Replacing the carpet or having a professional cleaner might be the right decision.
Once everything is clean, take a step and assess your home with a critical eye—and nose! If there are any bad lingering scents or if you notice missed spots, make sure to handle them before any home showings.
Taking care of these small details will help make your home more appealing to buyers.
4) Make Necessary & Simple Repairs
Don’t worry about new projects and renovations. But new small things work well. A fresh update to bathrooms with new towels works wonders.
- Repairing major issues, such as fixing broken windows or patching holes, cracks and problem areas in the wall is paramount. It’s also a good idea to ensure that all appliances are in working order and that the plumbing and electrical systems are up to code. Making the home as move-in ready as possible can help ensure a quick and hassle-free sale. Repl.ace lightbulbs if necessary
- You can also do some basic DIY repairs. If your home has old or cracked caulking around windows, doors, or in the bathroom, remove the old caulking and apply new caulk using a caulk gun. Another simple repair is to lubricate any squeaky hinges with WD-40. Not only will this make doors open and close more smoothly, but it will also help to silence any noisy hinges.
Many potential buyers will check the cabinets and drawers; make sure they open and close properly. Are doors free of squeaks?
5) Add New Life with Fresh Paint
A realtor does more than simply pricing your home. One of the biggest pieces of advice real estate agents give to sellers is to paint the house. A fresh coat of paint to the exterior can make a big difference in your house’s appearance and may even help it sell faster.
If your paint job is outdated or if the color is too bold, you may want to consider repainting. This is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to give your house a fresh look that will appeal to a buyer without updating the home.
When picking colors, in addition to ensuring that they match the home’s aesthetic, don’t pick anything that will alienate potential buyers. Neutral colors like whites, grays, and beiges are usually safe bets. Plus, these colors can make rooms appear larger.
Sellers will want to spend the least amount of money while getting the greatest benefit. If you don’t want to paint the entire home, stick to the big items like the kitchen, bathrooms, and the entryway where the buyers enter the home for the first time.
Also make sure to touch up anything including stains, cracks, and holes in the walls of the home. Bright colors can do wonders! Remember you don’t have to paint the whole house.
Extra Steps You May not Have Thought Of
Pressure Wash the Outside
Most sellers want to make sure they get as many offers as they can while spending the least amount of money as possible. This means not having to spending money to modernize the flooring, ceilings, or the kitchens. That means not forgetting about the outside of the home.
Some professionals recommend pressure washing the exterior, and that includes the roof. Some people have mold and other debris on the roof which makes it look old an unbecoming.
Some areas that you can pressure wash include:
- Patio
- Siding
- Driveway
- Sidewalk
- Exterior Walls
Hire a Photographer
A real estate agent should have a few professional photographers in their network who can take great photos of your property. Pictures, however, are no longer sufficient in today’s world.
If the photographer recommended by your agent does not already provide it, look for a professional photographer who can do a video walkthrough and aerial photography.
Because many buyers begin their search online, the more they can see of your property, the better. The video walkthrough can give buyers an idea of how the house flows.
Simultaneously, aerial photography can highlight your property and the surrounding area, providing potential buyers with a comprehensive view of the property.
| Showing Checklist |
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✔️Check rooms for clutter. Clean as necessary |
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✔️Vacuum Carpets and Sweep Floors |
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✔️Clear and Clean Kitchen Counters |
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✔️Take out the Trash |
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✔️Lights Should Be on |
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✔️Put away Valuables |
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✔️Ensure Curtains are Drawn |
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✔️Clear Debris from the Front Porch |
Getting Your Place Ready to Sell
It’s best to have a checklist if you are getting ready to sell your home, it is important to do some preparation work before putting it on the market. You will want to declutter and clean the house, make any necessary repairs, and give it a fresh coat of paint.
Setting a budget is necessary so sellers don’t spend too much money.Don’t forget to stage rooms so potential buyers can see themselves living in the home. In addition, be sure to focus on landscaping and curb appeal to make your home look as inviting as possible and increase its value.
By following these list of steps and ensuring you have a good real estate agent who understands the best way people should be pricing their home, you can increase the odds that your house sells quickly and for an excellent price. And remember to do a final walkthrough before you listing your property on the MLS.
Remember marketing your home is the easy part, getting it ready for sale is much more labor intensive. Buying a home should be an enjoyable experience and buyers don’t want to purchase a home that doesn’t leave a strong impact upon them.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best way for staging your home for showings is to remove clutter, clean, and depersonalize as much as possible. This will help potential buyers see your home as a blank canvas that they can easily envision themselves living in. You can hire a professional to assist you.
- Not removing clutter or cleaning enough
- Leaving personal items out
- Not repairing damage
- Not staging the home properly
- Not taking good photos
If you‘re having trouble selling your home, hiring a real estate agent that is savvy can see what might be causing the issue. It could be anything from the asking price to the condition of the home. Once you identify the problem, you can take the steps to fix it and increase your chances of selling.
Some things you can do to make your house more appealing to buyers:
- remove any clutter and depersonalize
- make repairs
- paint the kitchen, bathrooms, and entryway
- stage the home
a real estate agent
The best places to declutter and stage your home are the living room, kitchen, and bedrooms.