Life is full of all sorts of surprises. Just when you think you have your bearings, something comes in and changes your perceptions. Perhaps it’s a job offer in a different town, or a situation with your family; in need of more space, or less space – and before you know, you’re seriously pondering a big move elsewhere. According to studies, more than a third of home sellers do so because of quick and unexpected circumstances. And this can be a large source of stress when preparing for your home to go on sale.
If you are in need of getting your home ready in time to hit the market in a short space of time, here’s a cheat sheet to follow to help bring your home up to scratch.
Get the Lay of the Land
First things first: how much is your home valued? Research your local housing market to determine what kind of homes are advertised in your area and what prices they are listed as. Examine the comparable sales of your neighbourhood to better understand how much your home could feasibly go for. The market fluctuates constantly, so the amount you spent on your home may well have changed since. Once you have a rough number in your head, seek help from a trusted real estate agent to help list your home. Their wealth of expertise will greatly help with the process of selling.
Declutter and Clean the Home
Over the years we tend to accumulate a vast number of things you can categorize as “stuff”. Getting rid of as much of this as possible will go a long way towards enticing potential buyers. It will give viewers of your home a better idea of the space they will plan to make use of. I also find that it can be a very cathartic experience going through your belongings. If there’s a significant amount of possessions to sift through, rent out a storage unit while the home is on the market. Once this is done, give the house a deep scrub. Anything and everything that you can think of (mopping floors, dusting surfaces, washing windows, toilets, carpets, between stair spindles) will offer the best first impression to prospective buyers visiting your home.
Repaint, Repair, Replace
Nothing males a home feel fresh and replenished than a new coat of paint on the walls. Not only will it give a new look and feel to the space, but neutral colors like white and light grays will make rooms appear larger and allow interested parties to imagine themselves living there as opposed to considering another person’s bold color choices. However, the functionality of your home is just as important as how it looks. Find a reliable handyman who can come in and fix or replace anything that needs doing is so helpful in raising the appeal of your home on the market. Sometimes all it takes is a faulty kitchen drawer or a door that doesn’t properly shut to a bedroom to put viewers in a negative mindset. Have them leave in awe of how clean well maintained your home is.
Set the Stage
Staging homes according to studies can lead to faster deals and more money*. It also lets the viewer see how they can get the best out of the house. This starts from when they arrive at the home, such as cutting the grass, having the yard beautifully landscaped and the entrance welcoming. The interior should be as equally spruced up and tidied to perfection. Ask yourself how you would want to view a house for sale, and what aids can help enhance a room feature or take attention away from an imperfection. Your real estate agent can be a great source of advice for this too. And finally, hire a photographer who can take amazing shots of your home to display online. Without one, many buyers may overlook you for listings that are more visually appealing on their screens.
Depersonalize
This one can be a hard one to wrap your head around; why would I want to take away the things that make my home a home? The thing is, the items that you believe set your home as yours are distracting for someone trying to project their own future into the space. Give them a blank enough canvas to work in without coming across as too soulless. So an abundance of framed photos, fridge decorations, or personal items that create a distinctive presence should be put away for viewers. However, strike a fine balance with a few nice photos and small touches that complement a room will make your home feel lived in and more inviting.
Whatever your reasons are to put your home on the market, we want to help make it as smooth and as seamless as possible so you can focus on the things in life that are important to you. We wish you the very best of luck with your journey and for the many great years of happiness to come!
*The study in question is from the National Association of Relators Research Department in 2017 regarding statistics in staging homes.