When it comes to selling your home, the task may seem overwhelming. You often find it hard to know where to start. Fortunately, following these eight steps breaks the process down into simple bite-size chunks anyone can follow. Reach out to me directly or leave a comment if you have questions about any of them.
- Decide What to Fix: We all have a honey-do list – some longer than others. Once you decide to sell your home, throw away your old list. Examine what needs to be done from the eyes of a potential buyer. A good place to start is reviewing comparable sales in your area to make sure you are maximizing your value for a quick sale without over-improving. Cost and time for repairs vary and are both important. Ask your Realtor for a list of reliable contractors they work with regularly to help you balance budget and value.
- Curb Appeal: A great first impression has a lasting impact on buyers. Freshen the appearance of the outside of your home early. Buyers often get excited about a home from the outside alone. A stunning exterior will make buyers want to submit an offer even before they see the inside.
- De-clutter: We all gather meaningful mementos, clothes, and furniture. While these things add value to your home when you live in it, they may detract from how quickly you get an offer and the ultimate selling price. Consider options like donating or renting a storage space for some of your furniture pieces and out of season clothes.
- Small Things Add Up: A nail hole, a bumped corner, scuffed baseboards, a loose handle – no one item is that big of a deal by itself. When taken as a whole, though, they unfairly make your home seem neglected or dirty. Small things add up in the mind of a buyer and affect the offer. Eliminating objections helps move the offer more towards your price and terms.
- Stage: Decorating is a matter of personal taste, and we’re all different. Now that you made the decision to sell your house, the only decorating opinion that matters is the future buyer of your home.Often small changes help buyers see themselves in your house and increase sense of space. Working with a real estate professional who is constantly in touch with qualities that sell helps you maximize impact with the least effort.
- Set a List Date: The timing of your property going on the market could be an important part of the marketing plan you develop with your real estate agent. It’s also important to know so you can make decisions about the next stage in your life.
- Make a Plan: By now, you may feel there is a lot to accomplish before your home is ready to go on the market. Even if there is not a lot to do, writing it down provides a reference piece to make sure it all gets done. Break it down into small, actionable items, noting how long each task will take. Put each item on your calendar, making it simple to tackle.
- Prepare for the Next Step: You’ve made the decision to sell your house for all the right reasons and you’re excited about your next step. Still selling the house you live in now is an emotionally charged process. Reflect on the times you’ve had, and take photos you can look back on fondly.Look your current house with fresh eyes – the way its new owner will. Preparing for your next chapter now will help you make better decisions to maximize your value. Review your new to do list and timeline with your Realtor and discuss how each item could affect the selling price of your house.
Now it’s time to take action. Congratulations on your decision and good luck with your move!
-Cynthia