Ready, Set, Sell!
Selling your home is a business transaction, and you are its project manager. It sounds simple and logical, yet many sellers do not have this mind set and continue to make decisions based on emotion vs a business perspective. It is challenging to take down adorable family photos and the floral drapes you had custom made, but in order to sell fast and for top dollar, you must think of your home as a product, and you are preparing to bring this product to market.
Declutter
Buyers love to see space and storage. This cannot be emphasized enough. Go room by room (including closets) and decide what to toss, donate or store. It is alright to stack boxes in your garage until you move. But if necessary, rent a storage unit or a storage container. The decluttering process is essential to preparing to list your home. If you are planning to sell in the next 3-6 months, start the process now!
Appeal to the Most Buyers
The key to getting a house ready to sell is to optimize its appearance to attract the most buyers, optimally by spending the least amount of time and money. Your specific taste in something might not appeal to the largest audience. Staging is an excellent way to achieve this goal. But if you choose not to, at the very least remove personal items, such as photos, and ask your realtor for tips.
Get a Home Inspection
Do you need to get a home inspection as a seller? No. It is not required when selling, however, a home inspection does three things:
- Helps the buyer feel more confident when submitting an offer
- Reduces the chances of the buyer asking you to make repairs
- Decreases the chances of the buyer backing out
You do not need to make all the repairs called out in the inspection report! When the report comes back, your realtor can give you a checklist of the items that are worth taking care of.
Make Repair and Upgrades
The most important repairs to make as you prepare your house for the market are the ones that pay off. Your realtor will guide you on what to prioritize. For example, updating kitchen cabinets with new paint and hardware can be more productive than spending tens of thousands on a new roof. Other improvements usually include:
- Enhanced lighting – Bad lighting is something that can immediately turn buyers away.
- Painting to create a neutral palette – New paint makes a home seem well-cared for and can brighten space.
- Sprucing up your landscaping – Remember, first impressions are key. Start early to get your lawn green, add new mulch, and add color with pretty plants and flowers.
- Deep cleaning the home – Buyers will walk through your home with a fresh set of eyes. You may have become accustomed to the dust on the stairs, but not buyers! Include getting the carpets cleaned. Even the chimney could use a sweep! A clean home is a well-cared for home in the mind of a buyer.
The Granite Bay market is still going strong and in need of sellers. If you are thinking of selling your home, talk to your realtor about your “project plan” and timeframe.
Debbie Austin is a realtor associate with Keller Williams, Roseville and has been helping clients buy and sell property in the area for 16 years. If you have a specific real estate question you wish to see addressed, contact Debbie at debbieaustin@kw.com or debbieaustingroup.com.
