15 Tips For Getting You Home Ready to List
One question I am often asked: “What do I need to do in order to list my home?”. What sellers are really asking is “What can I do so I get the most amount of money for my home?” Getting this right is extremely important. Doing it wrong can cost you thousands.
How to turn off buyers: Dark rooms, strong odors, stains or marks on the walls or floor, untended landscaping, clutter and personal items everywhere make buyers feel like you haven’t cared for the home and are extremely uninviting.
How to excite buyers: A freshly painted front door, neat lawn with trimmed landscaping and flowers, well-tended exterior, clean gutters, neat siding will excite buyers. That shows pride of ownership. Once a buyer opens the door, that should extend throughout the home. Clean, neat, well-tended, odor free is what buyers want. This includes no “good” odors. No scented candles, cookies in the oven or air fresheners. Even if your kitchen and bathrooms are older, if they have been maintained and look good as new that shows to buyers you have loved and maintained your home. The beds should be made and all the rooms should be tidy.
They key thing to remember is that you want the buyer to be able to see themselves living in your home. You want them thinking: “The couch will fit perfectly there! That yard is perfect for our lifestyle!” You don’t want them thinking “It smells like a litter box and doesn’t look like they have don’t anything in 15 years.”
Here are 15 tips to get you started.
- Declutter: Remove personal items, non-essential furniture, and clutter to make your home feel more spacious and inviting.
- Cleaning: Deep clean every room, including carpets, windows, window treatments, bathroom tiles and showers, furniture, and appliances. Hire a professional cleaning service to make it faster and easier. Stay on top of keeping your home clean so when buyers come it looks and smells inviting.
- Curb Appeal: First impressions matter. Improve your home’s exterior by maintaining the landscaping and add flowers, repainting the front door if needed, and ensuring the entryway is welcoming.
- Repairs and Maintenance: Address any noticeable repairs, like leaky faucets, broken tiles, or chipped paint or holes from pictures and doors in the walls. If you know of major issues that you’ve been putting off, now is the time to repair them. They will come up on the buyer’s inspection and can cost you in repairs or credits to the buyer. Fixing these issues before listing can improve your home’s perceived value.
- Neutralize and Depersonalize: Paint the walls in neutral colors to create a blank canvas for potential buyers. If painting is not an option, minimize the knickknacks, accent pillows, throw blankets etc., Remove most personal photos and items to help buyers visualize themselves in the space.
- Get a head start on packing: Everything that is non-essential needs to be boxing up and stored in the garage, basement, attic, unused room or off-site in a storage facility or moving pod.
- Staging: Consider staging your home to showcase its potential. Arrange furniture to highlight the best features of each room and add tasteful decor to make the space feel inviting. Check out HGTV and Pinterest for inspiration.
- Lighting: Ensure all rooms are well-lit. Natural light is appealing, so open blinds and curtains during showings. Add extra lighting in dim areas.
- Kitchen and Bathrooms: These areas are especially important. Clean and declutter countertops, remove any mildew in bathrooms, organize cabinets, and consider minor upgrades like new hardware, fresh caulk, or a fresh coat of paint. Bedding and towels that match the color scheme of the room pull the look together.
- Odor Control: Eliminate any odors by thoroughly cleaning frequently, using aerosol odor eliminators and ozone machines, opening windows and having your carpets professionally cleaned take care of most lingering pet smells or cooking odors. Wash pet bedding frequently and clean kitty box or pet cages daily. Use a dehumidifier in the basement which will reduce that musty, basement smell.
- Photography: High-quality photos are essential for online listings. Your Realtor should have a pro on their team ready to capture your home’s best angles and features.
- Market Research: Your Realtor will research the local real estate market to determine a competitive listing price. Overpricing can deter potential buyers, while underpricing might not yield the best return.
- Online Presence: Good Realtors create an appealing online listing with accurate details and attractive photos. The best Realtors have an online marketing plan so showcase your home to the maximum number of buyers. Many buyers start their search online.
- Open House Prep: If you’re planning open houses, make sure your home is in top shape on those days. Clean, tidy up, open windows to let fresh air in and consider adding some welcoming touches like fresh flowers.
- Flexibility for Showings: Be accommodating with showings. The more flexible you are, the easier it will be for potential buyers to see your home.
Remember, the goal is to create a space that allows potential buyers to envision themselves living there. By following these tips, you can make your home more appealing to a wider range of buyers and increase your chances of a successful sale.
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