Selling your home can be a very exciting process! The prospect of where you’ll be next and who will take over your current property offer endless possibilities just around the corner. While you’re getting ready to list your home, preparing your property for sale also requires some attention.
Since selling a home includes more than just listing it, we’re sharing 6 things to remember that address the property itself. The time you take initially to prepare your home for sale will prove invaluable once it hits the market. These 6 items are ones we recommend you check off your list before putting up that for sale sign in the front yard.
1. Recognize that your Realtor (or lack of) will influence everything
Whether you’ve sold a home in the past or this is your first one, understanding the ins and outs of real estate is often best left up to the experts. While you can certainly prepare for buying and selling homes, we always recommend working with a trusted Realtor to do the heavy lifting and understand the current market.
While Realtors do cost money to work with, the amount of time they save you and the increase in the sale price of your home they can influence greatly outweigh the fears of ‘investment’ with their expertise.
For those in the Central Pennsylvania area, the Matt Weaver Group is always happy to help and offer guidance. We have a track record of happy clients and work hard to make every sale as successful as possible for everyone involved.
2. Get your documents in order
It’s important not only to prepare your home for sale but to be prepared yourself for inquiries that might arise regarding the property. This often includes documentation that your listing agent, attorney, or potential buyers will request. We recommend you track down these items when you’re preparing to sell your home:
- Get in order your deed/mortgage, satisfaction letter/copies of rental agreements, utility bills, tax bills, utility company contact info, and any other relevant information.
- Make sure all outstanding town/city permits are closed out and building violations cleared.
- Speak to your accountant regarding the sale of your home with regard to any tax issues you should keep in mind.
3. Remove your own personal belongings in the home
You’ve probably heard of staging your home before the sale, but even before you engage with staging companies, we encourage you to pack up your own belongings where you can and move them to a storage unit or your new space.
Not only do you want to present the home in a clean, organized manner, but you’ll also want to remove personal belongings that may distract potential buyers from being interested. This can include family photos, home decor, book shelves, and other personal items. The more open and ‘blank-slate’ you can make the home feel, the better. This allows prospective buyers to see their own family and items fitting into the new space.
4. Inspect your home for things that need repairing or replacement
Investing money into a home you’re about to leave may seem counterintuitive, but giving your home an inspection and repairing or replacing things that need attention can pay off down the line. While you don’t need to purchase an entirely new HVAC system, some easy upgrades can make a big difference. Consider things including:
- Use paint to freshen up your interior and exterior to feel more inviting.
- Replace house numbers with new, visible, and attractive lettering.
- Replace burned out light bulbs and old or outdated light fixtures.
- Re-caulk or regrout tiles in baths and kitchen.
- Fix any broken locks, doors, sliders, screens, windows, and drawers.
5. Remember that you only have one chance for first impressions
First impressions matter, especially when it comes to selling your home. Even before your home hits the market, potential buyers may be driving up and down your streets. It’s important to keep your home well maintained and looking attractive from the outside.
Things like landscaping, outdoor entertaining areas, and your garage should all be considered before listing your home.
6. Take the time to stage your home professionally
You’ve removed the personal items and clutter from your home. Congratulations! Now it’s time to stage the space and take it to the next level. Staging is another real estate tool that some shy away from because of cost, but the initial investment is well worth it.
Sale prices can skyrocket when staging is done well. It can include everything from bringing in new furniture and rearranging spaces to maximizing natural light in your home and making the space feel warm and welcoming.
Selling A Home In Central Pennsylvania?
If you’re looking to list your home on the market in the near future, our team of experts can help you get the best offer for your beloved space. Start with this list of items to consider, and contact our team if you’re needing some extra assistance today.
