When you’re thinking, “I’m ready to sell my house,” there are a few steps you can take before your home hits the market to increase its value and the speed at which it sells.

 

De-clutter and Organize Your Home

If you’re ready to move, then everything you own is going to get packed up in boxes anyway. You might as well make the process easier on yourself by de-cluttering now. Go room-to-room, closet-to-closet donating and throwing out everything you don’t want to take with you.

De-cluttering also plays an important role in selling your home. Your buyers want to picture themselves in your house, and that is easier to do without your hobby items and mementos cluttering the space. Plus, a de-cluttered home is a cleaner home, which appeals more to buyers.

 

Consider Staging Your Home

If you’ve found a top real estate agent, you will likely discuss staging.  Home staging is the process of changing your home to make it more appealing to buyers. In fact, home staging can sell your home an average of 73% faster.  Painting your space with neutral colors is just one step in this process. You may also consider taking extra steps like hiring a professional staging company to make your space cozier and more “on-trend”.

You can handle the staging on your own or wait until you are working with a Realtor® to see what they recommend. Every Realtor® has their own secret sauce to get homes sold.  

 

Improve Your Curb Appeal

Once you have the inside of your home ready to sell, turn to the outside. First impressions are just as important in home sales. The last thing you want is a prospective buyer to drive up, see your home, and drive away. To improve curb appeal:

  • Remove dead branches, plants, and shrubs.
  • Clean out your gutters and wash your windows.
  • Trim back hedges and shrubs that are overgrown and blocking your home.
  • Consider pulling out some plants that make it hard to see your home.
  • Regularly mow and edge your lawn and maintain your garden so you are ready for any showing.
  • Plant durable flowers and bushes that make your home seem more appealing.

 

Consider Renting a Storage Unit 

Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage, along with that garish sofa that only you like.

Your bookcases are now empty, so store them, too. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture to showcase the room’s purpose with plenty of room for buyers to move around. 

 

Make the House Sparkle!

Cleaning your home should go beyond the usual weekly or day-to-day cleaning jobs, even if you have to hire someone to do it. It could take all day to complete this job, so you might want to pay for assistance.

Wash the windows inside and out. Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and the exterior. Re-caulk tubs, showers, and sinks. Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.

Yes, you’re still living there so it’s not going to be absolutely spotless 24/7. But make it a habit to clean up after yourself daily—maybe more than you would normally bother with until the weekend. Vacuum daily instead of weekly. Wax floors, dust furniture, and clean ceiling fan blades and light fixtures. Bleach dingy grout and replace any worn rugs.

Pay special attention to the bathrooms and the kitchen. Hang up fresh towels. Bathroom towels look great when they’re fastened with ribbon and bows. Make it a habit to keep the toilet lid closed when it’s not in use. 

Kitchens are a big selling point for many buyers, so you’ll want yours to be as spotless and uncluttered as possible. Don’t forget those snoopers—make sure the interior of the fridge is clean and orderly, too. 

Above all, clean and air out any musty areas. Odors are a no-no. This might also include not cooking anything particularly odorous the evening before you know the house is going to be shown…or, if you really want to be on the safe side, until you have a purchase offer in hand. Skip the cabbage for a while. And if you have pets, keep on top of those litter boxes and other potentially smelly areas. 

Of course, odors work both ways. Consider making a small investment in some pleasantly scented candles or air fresheners.  

 

Have a Market Analysis done on your home.

This can be done prior to doing these steps or after.  Contact Us for a FREE Market Analysis on your home.  This will give you insight into the housing market.  What homes are selling for.  How many days your home will be on the market and what to expect before, during and after putting your home on the market.