Listing your home for sale can be a stressful event. In addition to taking steps to ensure your home sells quickly, you also have to think about packing and moving once the house is sold. Luckily, there are few steps you can take to make the process of selling your home a little easier. Consider these easy tips when preparing your home for sale.
Make Repairs
Making cosmetic repairs throughout your home can go a long way in helping sell the house. Spend the day taking inventory of all the cracks, holes, scuffs, scratches, leaks, and jams that appear throughout your home. Make a list of each item that needs to be repaired, then work your way down the list until everything is fixed. Finish improving your home by applying a neutral coat of paint on the walls and replacing burned out lightbulbs in each room.
Inspect Your Plumbing and HVAC
Most serious buyers will require a home inspection before they purchase your home. Make sure you’re not caught off-guard with costly repairs by checking your plumbing and HVAC systems before you put your house on the market. Start with a professional plumbing inspection to check your home’s sewer lines, valves, faucets, toilets, and septic system. It’s also important to inspect your water heater for signs of corrosion or leaks. Next, have an HVAC professional check your system to ensure everything is in working order.
Deep Clean
Your buyers will be inspecting all the nooks and crannies of your home to find flaws, so make sure your house is sparkling clean as they look. Make sure to pay special attention to the dirty rooms in your homes, like the bathroom and kitchen. Not only are those rooms that get the most traffic, but they’re also the rooms your buyers will be looking at more closely. In addition to cleaning the interior of your home, you should also take the time to clean your home’s exterior. Pressure wash the siding, sidewalks, and driveway and clean the windows.
Keep Up with Landscaping
The exterior of your home will be your buyers’ first impression of the house, so you’ll need to pay extra attention to your curb appeal. Make sure the lawn is mowed and the plants are groomed. Then, assess your home’s exterior paint to determine if the siding or window trim needs to be repainted. Finally, add some colorful flowers to the front porch to welcome buyers to the home.
Store Your Personal Items
Help your potential buyers picture themselves in your home by giving them a clean slate as they browse. That means removing personal photos and decorations that may keep them from seeing the house as theirs. Take the time to pack up your family’s personal effects before you list your home on the market. In addition to storing away family heirlooms, it’s also a good idea to move out any unique decorative items that buyers might find off-putting.
Clean Out Closets and Cabinets
Buyers will open your closets and cabinets as they tour your home. Overstuffed closets and cabinets can have a negative impact, demonstrating that there may not be enough storage in your home. But an organized closet or cabinet sends the opposite message. If your closets are overflowing, remove unessential items and store them away for your move. Do the same in your kitchen and pantry to ensure your kitchen looks organized, too.
Declutter
Not only will decluttering your home make the space cleaner and more streamlined, but it will also make packing so much easier. As you declutter your home, think about how long it’s been since you’ve used the item in question. If you haven’t used it in more than a year, it’s probably safe to get rid of it. You can also toss broken or damaged items, clothing that doesn’t fit, and toys your kids don’t play with. As you declutter, consider decorative items and collections your family enjoys but may not be appealing to potential buyers. If you find knickknacks you want to keep but may be considered clutter to buyers, pack it in a box and store it until you’re ready to move.
Stage the House
How you stage your home can make a big impact on what your buyers see when they walk through your house. Staging your house is a simple way to make a great first impression in your buyers’ minds. Use your favorite design show or magazines as inspiration to make your home more welcoming and inviting. In the living room, for example, arrange your furniture to allow for conversation instead of TV viewing. Use as much of your current furniture and decorative elements in your staging to help save money. But you may need to consider replacing old, worn out furniture to assist in selling your house. And if you’ve already moved to a new home, consider renting furniture to fill out the main rooms while you’re trying to sell the house.
