Four Easy Steps to Prep Your Home for Sale

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It’s a great time in real estate! Not only for professionals in the industry but also for homebuyers and sellers everywhere. Today I want to talk to you about getting your home ready for sale. With inventory selling faster than we’ve seen in years, some sellers are starting to become complacent about preparing their homes for the market, thinking that buyers will buy “whatever’s out there”.

Not true! You do still have to get your place ready and show it in its best light.

Low inventory simply means less to choose from but buyers these days are very savvy and know how to recognize a good home from a not-so-good one. Here are my favorite tips I share with sellers; tips that will help you earn top dollar in any market.

Don’t Be Strict; Flexibility Will Go a Long Way
Despite buyers competing heavily for the few homes that are on the market these days, sellers need to demonstrate some flexibility to accommodate buyers’ issues. You may have a buyer that is on a time crunch and needs to move in sooner. Consider renting a Pod for your belongings and vacate the home sooner. If there is a contingency on the contract that moves them only after they sell their own home, don’t let that get in the way of your contract. In short, try to make it easy on the buyer.

Clean Up, Clear Stuff and Show Off Your Home
It’s only understandable that after years of living in a house you will gather a LOT of stuff. But keep in mind, buyers are distracted by too much stuff because it doesn’t allow them to see past the clutter. It is important they be able to imagine their own furnishings in the space. Before you list your home, go through and purge what you don’t need or haven’t used in at least a year. If you need to, get a storage room or rent a Pod and put away all the clutter you can so you can show off the beauty, features and amenities of the home.

Get Your Sparkle On!
Having a clean, tidy and sparkling home is a great way to attract buyers and push them into the “yes!” zone. Take the time to do at least one deep cleaning, including washing windows inside and out, dusting baseboards, cleaning tops of cabinets and other hard to reach areas. Spruce up the entire space with fresh flowers and make the place shine! It might even pay off to invest in a professional cleaner to come by a day before you list the home.

Pay Attention to High-Traffic Areas; Kitchens and Bathrooms
Time and again, research shows that buyers gravitate toward kitchens and bathrooms first. They evaluate the bigger things like appliances, cabinetry, flooring and counters and fixtures – but they also notice if the place is “hot” or “not”. The simplest way to combat that is to remove all clutter so they can focus on the features of your space. Make sure the surfaces are clean, sparkling, inviting and staged in a neutral manner to allow buyers to envision their own lifestyle in the space.

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If you’re ready to seize the opportunity that today’s seller’s market presents – call me today. We’ll walk through your home and share specific insight as to what steps will make your home sell faster and for more money.