If you’re thinking about selling your house, look no further.
Selling a house can seem like a daunting task, but also an exciting one. You’ll be able to earn a lot of money and can start pursuing a variety of things after making a sale. Unfortunately, many homeowners fail to go through several steps that guarantee them a sale.
There are several things to do before selling your house that will ensure you earn a decent amount of money for it. You won’t have to settle for less than what your home is valued at and you’ll have an easier time selling it.
Here are 4 things to do before selling your home!
1. Look for Damage and Make Repairs
One of the first things you’ll need to do before selling your house is look for any damage with the house and make repairs. In many cases, repairing damages can raise the value of your home and ensure you make a sale.
The problem that many homeowners face with damages is they either don’t want to fix them or they haven’t caught them. Should a potential buyer see the damage, there’s a chance they’ll quickly change their mind about buying the house.
When buyers see obvious damages, they’ll be concerned about more issues that the house could have. It shows that the homeowner is negligent, so it makes them lose confidence in the quality of the house.
You shouldn’t have to break the bank when repairing the damages, but try to focus on things that will make or break a sale. For example, if your kitchen countertop is cracked, you should fix it because the kitchen is one of the first things a buyer looks at.
Plumbing and electricity should also be up to par because they’ll be used at all times. Keep in mind that lying about the quality of these things can be punishable by law, so it should be in your best interest restore them if needed.
2. Clean the House
The next thing you’ll need to do is clean the house. While this may seem like an obvious step, many people skip out on doing things like vacuuming the floors and cleaning the walls. While emptying the home of your furniture and decorations is a part of the process, you’ll need to go the extra mile to make a sale.
If your carpet has stains, consider steam cleaning it to remove them and make the house look more appealing. Cleaning and/or repainting the walls will also make it more appealing.
Should you decide to repaint the house, try to make it a neutral color instead of a personalized one. While you may like having red walls, it’s best to keep them neutral colors, such as white.
After cleaning the interior, boost your home’s curb appeal by cleaning the sidewalk and driveway. Trimming the lawn and any shrubbery will catch the attention of those that are driving by or visiting the house.
3. Start the Staging Process
When preparing to sell your home, staging it could greatly increase your chances of getting a good sale because viewers can see what the house looks like when furnished. Staging a home is all about making it look as appealing as possible.
You’ll want to include depersonalized furniture and decorations. Just like with the wall color, you should use neutral colors to make it appealing to a wider audience.
Try to use furniture that matches the house’s aesthetic. If you have an older house, using older, rustic furniture will make it more appealing to those that are seeking a vintage style. Modern homes should have sleek, metallic designs to compliment the style.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to stage the entire house. Staging some of the common areas, like the living room and kitchen, will be enough to catch the eyes of buyers. If you want to stage the bedrooms, focus on the master bedroom because that’s most likely where the buyer will be residing.
4. Consider Working with a Realtor
One of the last things to do before selling your home is consider working with a realtor. Realtors specialize in real estate and understand how much a home’s value is worth. They can let you know whether your home is in good condition to sell and how much you can expect to get out of it.
They’ll also give you recommendations on things you can do to make the home better. When it comes to making repairs, boosting the curb appeal, and staging the house, a realtor can guide you through the process to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
If you were to sell the home by yourself, you’d have to meet all of the potential buyers and give them walkthroughs. While buyers will be meeting you anyway, having a realtor take care of this will increase the likelihood that your house sells because they’ll know how to convince buyers.
You can find out more about whether your home is ready to sell by talking with a realtor and asking them about their opinion.
Now You Know Which Things to Do Before Selling Your House
Selling a house doesn’t have to be a difficult process, so do yourself a favor by going through the steps in this guide. Understanding which things to do before selling your house will allow you to make an efficient plan, allowing you to save both time and money.
We encourage you to start clearing out your home and seeking out any potential damages within it. From there, you can start making repairs and restoring the house to increase its appeal and value. If you’re struggling to make a sale, start working with a realtor. Browse our articles to learn more about real estate.
