So you have decided that it’s time to put your home on the market and no matter if it’s a long-passed down family home or a home where you have created loving memories, selling your house can be emotional. But getting a house ready to sell might not be as simple as you think. Here’s my guide of pro-tips to prep your home for sale:

• Find a Good Real Estate Agent

Start off the home-selling process the right way by finding a great real estate agent with experience selling in your area to help you (that’s where I come in!). Your agent can evaluate your situation with a professional view, identify any home improvements you may need to do, help you decide on a listing price (and when to list) and other important suggestions that can increase your home’s value.

• Research the Local Housing Market

Sit down and take time with your real estate agent to research the local housing market. Research comparable home sales in your neighborhood together to determine the right listing price for your home. Making sure to focus on criteria such as square footage, special features and location; then think about how those things compare to your home. Once you and your agent decide on a competitive price to list your home at (and when), it’s time to start the real prepwork.

• Do a Walk-Through of Your Own House

Do a walk-through of your own house inside and out to try and find any signs of damage that a buyer may notice (i.e. water leaks and stains, cracks in walls, uneven floors, etc.). Then discuss with your agent simple-improvements that could potentially increase the value of your home, such as professional cleaning services, painting, landscaping, or even replacing your front door. Avoid investing in things that could be prone to personal preference to ensure that you don’t waste any money on spare expenses.  If major repairs need to be done, decide on which of those things have to be replaced before putting it on the market. Take an inventory of the major appliances and items in your house and try to determine their age so you have all the info you may need for potential buyers.

• Clean and Declutter

Right before you list your home (and throughout the selling process), you should definitely give it a full deep clean. First impressions are important and one of the first things that buyers will notice when they walk into your house is how clean and well-taken care of it is. Make sure you take time to clean the whole house; paying attention to things like floors, bathrooms, counters, and carpets or rugs. Room’s always look larger with less stuff inside of them making the decluttering process just as important as the cleaning process. Consider storing extra furniture and home decor in a storage unit or shed while your home is on the market to allow buyers to see the full potential of your house. Pro-Tip: Make sure to keep extra light bulbs handy around the house, when showing your home to buyer’s you will need every single light on meaning you need a working bulb in each one.

• Call in the Professionals

When it comes to cleaning and repairs, you might want to think about calling in a few professionals to help you get the job done. Have your local handyman on speed dial to make sure you fix anything and everything that needs to be repaired before you list your home on the market. Think about hiring professional cleaning and landscaping services to make sure your home appears clean inside and out. Buyers will notice when they can tell that a home has been well-taken care of by it’s owner.

• Schedule a Professional Photoshoot

The one professional you definitely need to hire when listing your home on the market is a professional photographer. Ask your real estate agent for recommendations on pro-real estate photographers that they trust and prefer to use. Without a proper view of your home, buyers may unfortunately overlook your home.  A majority of your potential buyers will see your home online before they ever see it in person, meaning professional-looking, high resolution photos are vital in the home selling process.

• Let Your Real Estate Agent Take It From Here!

Talk to your real estate agent throughout the preparation process and let them know when you are ready to finally start showing it to buyers. Decide on dates for home tours and open houses together, if that is what your agent recommends for your situation. Lastly, your agent will list your home on the Multiple Listings Service and take it from there! Your agent can do anything for you during the process from setting up listing appointments to even marketing your property through flyers or online advertising. Communicate any needs and concerns to your real estate agent throughout the selling process and it will ensure that everything goes smoothly!

 

Contact me at (505) 310-5464 if you are ready to starting the process of putting your home on the market and I can answer any other questions you my have!