So, you’ve made the decision to put your home on the market. Congratulations! Now it’s time to get your home ready to sell. Savvy sellers know that a little planning and preparation can make their listing stand out from the crowd and raise the value of the property. On the other hand, sellers who don’t put in the effort often find their homes going for less than the price they were hoping to get. When it comes to selling your home, you’ll find that a little TLC goes a long way. Here are 10 tips I recommend that all my clients follow before they list their home.
Get a Listing Agent
It might sound self-serving for my first recommendation to be to find a realtor, but I’m not alone. Do your research and find a realtor with the credentials, experience and representation you need to see put your home on the market and guide you through the sale. You’ll also want to engage a listing agent who is intimately familiar with your neighborhood and market.
Research Your Market
You may think your home is worth a million bucks … but it might be worth more! Or less, depending on the market. A thorough understanding of what homes in your neighborhood have sold for, how real estate trends have shaped the local market, and what other commercial and residential developments may impact the value of your home.
Hire a Photographer
They say an image is worth a thousand words. I can confirm that professional photos of your home can be worth a lot more! The investment in high-quality, well edited and well lit photos of your home could pay huge dividends.
Deep-Clean Your Home
You may live in the most spectacular home in Atlanta, but if you’ve kept it messy or dirty, you’re likely to turn prospective buyers away. Remember, your home is on audition. You want it to be as immaculate as possible, so a buyer can envision him- or herself living there one day. Hiring a professional to do the job is a worthwhile investment.
Invest in Storage
You don’t need to be a hoarder to have a lot of furniture, clothing, and extraneous knicknacks lying around the home. When you were simply living there, these items may never have caused you any stress. But for a home on the market, they scream “clutter.” Renting (and filling) a storage facility will help your home seem that much more move-in ready for a buyer.
Make Needed Repairs
I’ve shown too many homes in which the seller had to apologize for a faulty appliance, non-working light fixture or other minor malfunction that they shrug off. Your buyer won’t be impressed by these problems. Not only could they don’t diminish their excitement for this potential new home, they may also lead to a lower sale price.
Consider a Paint Job
Peeling paint or faded walls can make even the most imposing home look drab. A fresh coat of pain will do wonders to make your property more appealing to a buyer. Painting your place also gives you the chance to inject a little personality into the home, but try not to overindulge your artistic side. A deep magenta bedroom might suit your tastes, but it’s unlikely to tempt a prospective buyer.
Set the Stage
Staging a home helps you sell it faster and at the price you want. From landscaping to decluttering, there are many ways to make your home irresistible to prospective buyers. As your agent for his or her tips on hoe best to stage your home to sell.
De-personalize
A home that’s chock full of personal mementos, family photos and other personal items will feel very little like a home a buyer can envision for themselves and their families. I always advise my clients to keep the personal out of the sale of their homes, and that includes the items that may attract a buyer’s eye when they should be focusing on the features that matter most.
Consider Making Upgrades
No home is flawless, but repairs can be expensive, especially when someone else will reap the benefits! Depending on your budget, you may want to make minor upgrades, especially if they are issues that tend to turn people away from your home. A few cosmetic upgrades will have your home looking newer (and more valuable) than ever!
I can help you come up with a a plan to get your home ready to sell. Depending on your budget, timeline, and goals, we’ll work together to make your home irresistible to the right buyer!
