If you’re pondering the possibility of selling your home, knowing how to prep your property to get the best offer is crucial. Even in a strong seller’s market like we’re currently experiencing, there are many steps that sellers can take to encourage competitive offers. Interested in learning what you can do to prepare your home for listing? Take a look at our checklist:
Work With Your Real Estate Team
If you know that you’ll be ready to list your home soon, reach out to your real estate team. Starting a conversation with our listing manager and marketing team will help you get a clear idea of what needs to be on your to-do list. A meeting with your realtor will also set expectations for pricing and terms. Even in a hot market, you’ll want to avoid overpricing your home, as this can deter buyers and lead to more days on market. For best results, work with your realtor as early as possible to determine realistic goals.
Prior to officially offering your home for sale, choose the vendors you’d like to work with (we’re always happy to provide recommendations). Whether or not you decide to invest in pre-listing tasks, it’s wise to have contacts for pros to handle painting, cleaning, and re-carpeting.
Maintain Your Home’s Condition
The most important way you can influence your home’s price is by staying on top of maintenance to ensure that it stays in excellent condition. Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes as you evaluate your property and keep an eye out for details such as:
- Features that need to be repaired or replaced
- Chipped, peeling, or faded paint
- Countertops that are in need of refinishing
- Stained or matted carpet that should be replaced
It’s important to complete a pre-inspection to assure that buyers are informed in a multiple offer situation, as more often than not, contingencies usually put in the contract to protect the Buyer’s earnest money are being omitted.
Although you may still receive attractive offers regardless of the shape your home is in, it’s undeniable that putting in some elbow grease and/or making upgrades or repairs will help you get top dollar. If you want to reduce days on market and avoid contingencies, discuss whether it’s worth it to invest in deferred maintenance (like a new roof) with your realtor.
Stage Your Home
When your goal is to maximize your net proceeds, staging is a must. A professional stager will create a universally appealing canvas, complete with great lighting for photos. When working with a stager, remember that you’ll need to keep your home as clean as possible and pack away any items that aren’t in line with the staging aesthetic.
With housing inventory at a historic low, it’s no surprise that the market is favorable for sellers. Even so, it’s critical to take the right steps to ensure that you’re satisfied with the selling experience. An experienced real estate team is a must when listing your home, and we’d love to help. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.