Tips for prepping your home for top dollar
We’re still in a seller’s market, but that doesn’t mean your home is guaranteed to easily sell or will have a competed escrow. If you want to maximize your sale price, it’s still important to prepare your home before putting it on the market.
Start by connecting with a real estate agent as soon as possible. Having the eyes and ears of an insightful real estate professional on your side can help you boost your home’s appeal to buyers.
Use the checklist below to figure out what other tasks you should complete in the time leading up to listing your home. While everyone’s situation is unique, these guidelines will help you make sure you’re ready to sell when the time is right. Of course, you can always call us if you’re not sure where to start or what to tackle first. We can help customize a plan that works for you.
AS SOON AS YOU THINK OF SELLING
Some home sellers want to plan their future move far in advance, while others will be required to pack up on very short notice. Whatever your circumstances, these first steps will help assure you’ll be ahead of the listing game.
IT CAN BE HARD TO SEE WHAT BUYERS SEE, SO…
Contact Your Real Estate Agent
We go the extra mile when it comes to servicing our clients, and that includes a series of pre-listing consultations to help you prepare your home for the market.
Some sellers make the mistake of waiting until they are ready to list their home to contact a real estate agent. But we’ve found that the earlier we’re brought into the process, the better the result. That often means a faster sale—and more money in your pocket after closing.
We recently did a facelift of a home that had been rented for 5 years. The owners invested in new sod, basic landscaping and a quick coat of fresh paint—-and got 3% more than they would have had they left it “as is”. That was $33K in this instance.
We connected with our trusted network of contractors, vendors, and service professionals to get it done quickly. This network of support can alleviate stress and help ensure you get everything done in the days leading up to listing.
DON’T WORRY, YOU WON’T BE ALONE IN THIS…
Address Major Issues and Upgrades
In most cases, Sellers don’t need to make any major renovations before listing; however, if you’re selling an older home or if you have any doubt about its condition, it’s best to get into it as soon as possible.
When Buyers are paying top dollar, they can get scared off and cancel escrow if they feel the repair list is too great. In that case, you will have to disclose all that is found by any inspector anyway, so why not address it up front and sell your house the first time?
In some instances, we may recommend a pre-listing inspection. Although it's less common in a seller's market, a pre-listing inspection can help you avoid potential surprises down the road. We can discuss the pros and cons during our initial meeting.
This is the time to address structural, systems, or cosmetic issues that could hurt the sale of your home down the line. For example, problems with the frame, foundation, or roof are likely to be flagged on an inspection report. Issues with the HVAC system, electrical wiring, or plumbing may cause the home to be unsafe. Even if you are selling “as is”, a safety hazard should always be repaired or compensation made to the Buyer to handle it later upon their possession. It’s a smart way to manage any risk of unhappy Buyers later.
Contact us so we can guide you on the updates that are worth your time and investment.
AH…THE PATH TO PEACE
1 MONTH (OR MORE) BEFORE YOU LIST
Once any large-scale renovations have been addressed, you can turn your attention to the more minor updates that still play a major role in how buyers perceive your home.
Make Minor Repairs
Look for any unaddressed maintenance or repair issues, such as water spots, pest activity and rotten siding. This is the time to take care of those small annoyances like squeaky hinges, sticking doors, and leaky faucets, too.
Many of these issues can be handled by going the DIY route and using a few simple tools. Tackle the ones you can and be sure to call a professional for the ones you’re not comfortable doing yourself. We can refer you to local service providers who can help.
Remember that it’s easy to overlook these small issues because you live with them. When you work with us, you get a fresh set of eyes on your home—so you don’t miss any repairs that could make a big difference to buyers.
Refresh Your Design
This is a great time to think about some simple design updates that can make a significant impression on buyers. For example, a fresh coat of paint is an easy and affordable way to spruce up your home. One survey found that interior paint offered a 107% return on investment. For broad appeal, opt for warm, neutral colors. We can help with choosing that too.
Never underestimate the importance of good curb appeal. Homes with good curb appeal sell for 7% more, on average, than similar homes with an “uninviting exterior.” If weather permits, lay fresh sod where needed, plant colorful flowers, and add some new mulch to your beds.
Even just repositioning your furniture can make a huge difference to buyers. A survey by the Real Estate Staging Association found that staged homes sold faster, and 73% sold over list price. We have an interior designer who can offer insights and suggestions.
Declutter and Depersonalize
Doing a little bit of decluttering every day is a lot easier than trying to take care of it all at once right before your home hits the market. A simple strategy is to do this one room at a time, working your way through each space whenever you have a bit of free time. We’ll help with this process.
Start by donating or discarding items that you no longer want or need. Then pack up any seasonal items, family photos, and personal collections you can live without for the next few weeks. Bonus: This will give you a head start on packing for your move!
EVEN WHEN SELLING “AS-IS”, IT’S WORTH THE EXTRA $$ YOU WILL RECEIVE…
1 WEEK BEFORE YOU GO TO MARKET
Now it’s time to focus on the small details that will really make your home shine. Here are a few key areas to focus on during this last week.
Tidy Your Exterior
You’ve already done the major landscaping—now it’s time to tackle the last few details. Make sure your lawn is freshly mowed, hedges are trimmed, and flower beds are weeded.
In addition, now is the time to clean your home’s exterior if you haven’t already. If you can’t do it, hire a handyman to power wash your siding, empty the gutters, and wash all your windows and screens.
Deep Clean Your Interior
Do yourself a favor and bring in the pros on this. Your house should be deep cleaned before listing and we don’t always see the dust we live with…take an afternoon off-take a walk, get a massage or catch up with a friend, then come home to a sparkling clean environment.
In addition to cleaning, take some time to tidy up. Buyers will look inside your closets, pantries, and cabinets, so make sure they are neat and organized. Give extra chemicals to your neighbors. Move small appliances and toiletries off of the countertops.
AND YOUR WORK PAYS OFF…
DAY OF SHOWING
Do a final walk-through and take care of these finishing touches to give potential buyers the best possible impression.
Pre-Showing Prep
Happy and comfortable buyers are more likely to submit offers. Make them feel at home by adjusting the thermostat to a comfortable temperature. Open any blinds and curtains throughout the house, and turn on all lights so buyers can see all the potential in your home.
Then tidy up by vacuuming and sweeping floors, emptying (or hiding) trash cans, and wiping down countertops. In the bathrooms, close toilet lids and hang clean hand towels.
Don’t forget to secure firearms, jewelry, sensitive documents, prescription medications, and any other items of value in a safe or store them off-site.
Finally, it’s best to have pets out of the house during showings. If possible, you should also remove evidence of pets (litter box, dog beds, etc.), which can be a turn-off for some buyers.
FINALLY…
WE REPEAT: DON’T WAIT TO PREP YOUR HOME FOR SELLING
If you want to get top dollar for your home, don’t put it on the market before it’s ready. The right preparation can make all the difference when it comes to maximizing the return on your investment you will get and to help make for a smooth and completed escrow.
The upgrades and changes you need to make will depend upon your home’s condition, so don’t wait to speak with an agent.
Call our team if you’re thinking about selling your home, even if you’re not sure when. It’s never too early to seek the guidance of your real estate agent and start preparing your home to sell.
Sources:
Fortune -
https://fortune.com/2022/02/08/should-i-buy-house-sellers-market-housing-real-estate-fannie-mae/Forbes -
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/home-improvement/labor-materials-shortage-impacts-renovations/PR Web -
https://www.prweb.com/releases/2012-homegain/home-improvement-survey/prweb9433460.htmRealtor Magazine -
https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/01/27/how-much-does-curb-appeal-affect-home-valueReal Estate Staging Association -
https://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=304550&module_id=164548