2019 was the best year for the sale of new homes since the Great Recession.
If you’re looking to cash in on the seller’s market, you’ve got more to think about than throwing up a ‘For Sale’ sign on your lawn. One of the most important things you’ll need to know is how to prepare your house for sale.
Selling your home takes preparation and careful planning. We’ve got you covered with these simple steps that cover everything from the exterior of your home to where you’re going to store your stuff. Keep reading to learn more.
How to Prepare Your House for Sale on the Outside
Some experts claim that the most important aspect of selling your home is your curb appeal. That’s because if a potential buyer doesn’t like what they see on the outside, they’re less likely to consider the inside.
Improve your curb appeal with simple things like a fresh coat of paint on your front door and one or two flower pots. You should also clean your gutters and power wash any siding to make your home sparkle.
Preparing Your Home on the Inside
As much as you might love your decor, you want to present a blank slate to potential buyers. They should be able to see themselves in your home without the distraction of your own personal taste and style.
That means removing personal photographs, knick-knacks, and family heirlooms. You should also consider a fresh coat of paint in any room that’s not already muted and neutral.
And don’t forget the most obvious interior task: cleaning. Make sure your home is sparkling clean by dusting the places that don’t get dusted, polishing appliances and faucets, and even washing your windows.
Consider Storage
To help you declutter your home and create a neutral space, you’ll likely need to remove larger items like furniture and artwork. Consider renting a storage unit to place these items in.
Here they’ll be kept safe and you can pick them up after you’ve moved to your new home. You might also consider placing any items for sale or donation in the unit until you have time to complete those tasks.
Making Repairs
Big repairs can break a sale if they’re not disclosed right from the beginning. But small repairs can really hurt the impression you make on buyers.
The good news is, small repairs are usually easy to fix. Think of replacing the light bulbs, patching holes, removing scuff marks, and fixing leaky faucets.
Hire a Realtor
Hiring a realtor can help you with all of the above. Realtors have been through this process many times and they know what to look for.
A realtor is even more important if you need to sell your house fast. Read this article for some reasons that might occur.
More Home Tips
Knowing how to prepare your house for sale can make or break how many offers you get as well as the types of offers you get. With just a little work on your curb appeal, decluttering your home, and making repairs, you can improve your chances of success.
And for more home tips and advice, be sure to check back regularly.
