Selling
1. Hire an agent
Yes, you can sell it yourself. Things to know before do. Current market trends, property values, appraisal, inspections, legal disclosures, negotiations, timelines for the selling process, HOA requirements, legal agency, lending options for buyers, and on and on. If you don’t have the willingness or time to do all this, hire a competent real estate agent.
2. Curb appeal
Start outside the home. Clean the yard, trim the bushes, plant some colorful flowers, paint the front door. You want to make a good impression when a potential buyer pulls in the driveway.
3. Declutter
Potential buyers need to see the spaciousness of the house. Clean out closets, clean off counter tops, open the floor space by removing items that sit on the floor. “Less is definitely more” when it comes to getting your house ready to show. Oh yes, clean out the garage.
Then clean, clean, clean. Your house cannot be too clean. A clean house looks like a well-cared for house. Clean behind closed doors: closets, drawers, and cupboards. Nothing is off-limits for curious buyers. Throw away useless stuff, donate, have a garage sale. If you have worn those shoes, that shirt in years you probably don’t need it.
4. Depersonalize the property
You want prospective buyers to see themselves living there. Remove your personal pictures, especially off the refrigerator. Go ahead and pack up your trophies, souvenirs, and your favorite sports team posters. Your personal style can be a distraction to a buyer.
5. Paint the interior
Bold colors can project a less than homey feeling. So, paint your wall with a warm neutral tone. Even though paint color is easy to change most buyers don’t want another project, especially after just moving. Plus, a fresh coat of paint makes the home look bright and clean.
6. Get those small repairs done.
That hole in the drywall, that scratch on the floor, the stain on the carpet, loose door handle, faucet handles, make sure all the light fixtures have working light bulbs, cracked windowpanes, make a list and fix them all. When it comes to inspection time, I guarantee you will get a list then.
7. Make your Home Smell Fresh
Pet odors or any foul smell will turn a buyer off very quickly. So, make sure to freshen up the air inside the house. If you use air fresheners make sure it is a light airy aroma.
8. Clean
Did I mention clean. The property cannot be too clean, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms.
9. Safety
Make sure the property is safe to tour inside and outside. Look for trip hazards, sharp edges, holes in the yard. Remove anything that could injure someone.
Also, safety for you. Lock up valuables, guns, and medications. None of these should be accessible to a person visiting the property.
10. One more thing
If possible do not have a pet in or outside the house when a potential buyer comes to tour the property.
