10 steps to get your home market ready!
10 steps to get your home market ready!
Updating the paint in your home is a simple (and usually cheap) fix! Using modern paint colors attracts buyers. If they see bold colors like red, purple, orange, coral, etc. they may decide to not view your home at all. Paint suggestions are Sherwin Williams egret white or alabaster white depending on your lighting. Painting will make the space feel bigger and brighter.
Before your home gets photographed and goes live on the market, make sure to clean your home from top to bottom. Get a professional cleaner (it's worth the extra money). Buyers will absolutely see the dust and grime. They start thinking the home is not well kept. If you are living in your home while selling it is very important to continue to clean and leave the place spotless for private showings and open houses.
Remove all the items that say this is "MY" home. Take down personal items such as family photos, childrens artwork, keepsakes, magnets on the refrigerator, etc. Remove that cute doormat that says grandkids welcome here, too. Buyers want to visualize themselves in the space, and they can't do that if they are only seeing your items in the home. Blank or minimal items are best.
Buyers notice every little detail, and they will use it against you during negotiations. Fix items like loose door handles, loose toilet rings, ripped window screens, broken blinds, loose gutters, leaky faucets, squeaky hinges, nail holes or pops, refresh caulking, remove hard water stains..etc.
A simple way to make the space feel bright! Replace those old outdated light fixtures (and ceiling fans) with some simple and modern fixtures. Change lightbulbs to clear or white so it brightens the space. This makes the home really pop for the photographs.
As buyers walk up to view your home the first impression is the outside and entryway. Pull weeds, put fresh mulch, add a new welcome mat, and tidy up the entryway. Secure any wobbly handrails, fences, or gates. Powerwash the sidewalks, siding, and decking to take off layers of dirt. If you have a pool, make sure it is in good condition and clean. Above ground pools may need to be removed ahead of time as they are seen as a hassle to most buyers.
Remove as many items as you can that you do not need while your home is on the market. If you do not want to move it with you then donate or sell items ahead of time. Large furniture can make a space feel smaller, so only leave minimal furniture for staging. Buyers will open every door, so now is the time to minimize the clothing in your personal and front door closets. If you are taking a lot of items with you then ask a family member or friend if you can temporarily store a few items, or look into getting a storage unit/pod.
Sellers that leave old, stained, worn out carpet have their homes sitting longer on the market. If you can, replace the carpets. Even better if you can put new laminate in the main areas such as the living room, dining room, and master bedroom. This will absolutely attract more buyers and give you an edge over the competition. Suggestions: white oak or medium oak with wide planks or subtle textures.
If you don't already have a handy dandy document folder, then now is the time to collect what you may need. Documents such as the survey, age and brand of major appliances, solar leases, structure permits, work done over the years such as the roof, foundation, deck..etc. Also include improvements such as window resealing, updated floors, additions, pool... etc. These are items that you may need proof of and could be in the Sellers Disclosure, so it's smart to gather the documents ahead of time. Buyers also really appreciate if you leave a list of paint colors, flooring type, and professionals who have done work on the home that can be handed off after closing.
Now it's time for my listing consultation! This is where I will walk the home with you, bring comparables, and formulate a pricing strategy. We will discuss the current market and choose a timeline to sell that works best for you. The goal is to make your home stand out, so you can sell quickly and move onto your next home adventure!
Checkout my YouTube video on the three things that sell a home! There are other helpful tips on my channel too, such as what to do with pets while selling and which items to secure during showings.