A homeowner that is preparing to sell a home is often bombarded with a to-do list that is overwhelmingly long. Prepping a house to sell is like having a second job. It is hard to decide which items to spend time and money on, and which items are not going to matter.
To help expedite this process, look at these 8 essentials to pay attention to when prepping to sell a home.
A Staged Home is a Happy Home
Staging can cost a homeowner some money. However, there are some agencies that reduce the costs by staging with the homeowner’s current furniture. This is one of the most important steps in selling a house for a good price. Real estate pros see homes that are staged go for much more than their un-staged counterparts.
By touring a staged a house, the buyer is seeing it in the best light possible. A beautifully staged home is going to make a buyer excited about living there. They will come in with a strong offer to make sure they win out over the competition.
Keep It Clean
This is something that a homeowner can do on their own or hire a professional to do. Cleaning the house is key to selling. No buyer wants to walk through a house that is dirty or messy. This is very distracting as they try to envision their own family in the home.
Make sure the house is spotless, top to bottom. It is important to clean areas that would not typically be cleaned. Sometimes it is easier to allow a professional cleaning service to come through the home after the homeowner cleans. They can focus on those hard to reach areas and help get the home in tip-top shape.
Look to the Lawn
A buyer is going to start making judgments about a house the second they pull up. The outside of the house is going to determine their mood for when they enter the home. If the roof and siding are peeling off, the mailbox is falling over, or the lawn is unkempt, they are going to be less excited about seeing the rest of the house.
The Little Things
Small items that are broken can mean a lot to a buyer. Make sure every light in the house has a fresh bulb. The wiggly handles on the kitchen cabinets need to be tightened. Even something as simple as making sure all the windows are washed and the screens are attached properly will be noticed by a buyer.
A buyer will find all these little problems and assume there are larger problems that have not been taken care of. Look at it from the buyer’s point of view: if a homeowner cannot fix something simple then what large problems have they let go throughout the years?
Focal Points of the House
Most buyers are interested in the kitchen and bathroom. These rooms are great ways to “wow” a buyer and make them excited to put in an offer. Renovating these rooms can help to add value to the home. However, these rooms are the most expensive to renovate in a house.
Complete small updates if renovations are too costly. Painting the walls gives the rooms a fresh look. Updating the flooring if there is any damage is important as well. Any cabinets should be sanded and refinished if not replaced.
A Photo Says It All
There is nothing worse than a beautiful home being photographed terribly. A great photo will bring a buyer to the house. Bad photos will ensure the property stays on the market for a long period of time. Hire a professional photographer to make sure all photos are completed beautifully.
Let Someone Else Do It
So many homeowners start to feel overwhelmed because of their extensive list of projects that they need to complete. Do not get into a do-it-yourself rut; let professionals take over. Working with a professional can help to diminish stress during a sale.
Let It Go
This may be the hardest step in the home selling process. When a buyer says something negative about the house, it is not meant to be taken personally. They are pointing out what should be addressed to sell the home.
While it may feel like an attack, concentrate on how to make the home better for the next showing.
To sell a home a homeowner must be willing to put in work. Cleaning and staging the home is the first step to making the house presentable. Concentrate on key areas of the house like the kitchen, bathroom, and the yard. Team up with professionals to make the job easier. Once everything is clean and pristine, it will be much easier to sell.
