So, you're thinking of selling your home? For many people, even thinking about selling can be an overwhelming thought. Where to begin? What to do? Where should we concentrate to be most effective in getting the most back in a sale price?
All good questions! When tackling them, it's best to get the opinion of a real estate professional. Many of the above questions, among others, can vary by location and the current market climate. Enter a good Realtor! A good Realtor can help you make a game-plan to maximize your return and minimize the amount of work needed to get to the finish line.
We've come up with a quick checklist for anyone making plans to sell their home, now or in the future. Our list is not exhaustive, as there are too many topics to cover here. We come across a variety of home sellers in a variety of circumstances. Every situation is unique! But here's some common tips that we come across often and can be applied to most situations!
- Time to De-clutter! We have a saying and it goes "Sell what you can sell, give away what you can't sell, and burn what you can't give away!" When it comes time to sell a home, it's an opportunity to take stock of your inventory. Items that may have outlived their usefulness can be re-homed or recycled. There are a myriad of ways to sell and give away used items. Think Facebook Marketplace and local charities. A de-cluttered and minimized home simply shows better!
- Clean Windows Inside & Out! This is another one where home sellers tend to overlook how dirty windows can get over time. It may seem like a small thing, but there's a wow-factor when those windows come clean. Buyers can be fickle and they tend to notice things that sellers might not. If these add up (dirty windows, dirty carpets, dirty kitchen) then buyers might see it as a red flag and begin to look for other warning signs.
- Deferred Maintenance! This one goes hand in hand with the previous point. Now is the time to take care of any deferred maintenance items. These items are likely to come up upon inspection. Think leaking faucets, broken windows or blinds, chipping paint, picture holes, bad electrical outlets, roof condition, wood rot etc. Going from room to room and making a punch-list to complete prior to listing is highly recommended!
- Upgrades? This is where things can get tricky. There is definitely a risk-versus-reward to consider. How much time do you have? How much are you willing to spend? Does the kitchen need a full remodel or are there smaller updates that might suffice? Not all projects will result in a return on investment and not all sellers have the luxury of time on their side to commit to large projects. But small projects like new hardware, faucets, and fixtures might be just the ticket! Because every situation is unique, we believe it's important to get a professional opinion.
- Landscaping! This one can be easy one for most sellers. While it may not be the best time to call in the landscape architect and completely overhaul the back and front yard, freshening things up with some new mulch, rock, and/or plants can establish good curb appeal. Also consider trimming over-grown plants and trees. Many small-scale landscape projects can be completed in a day or two. This is usually an opportunity for a very high return on investment!
- Replace Burn-out Light Bulbs! This one seems like no-brainer, but we run into this one far too often when showing homes. It's not a good look, and because it's such an easy fix, it's just another warning sign we prefer to avoid.
- To Replace or Refresh the Carpets? How do the carpets look? Like new? Mostly new? Trampled? Stained? Torn? There are many ways to care for lived-on carpet. They can be steam-cleaned, re-stretched, and repaired most of the time. However, if you can feel that the pad is disintegrated underneath or the carpet has numerous and obvious stains from years and years of use, it may be time to go ahead and replace them.
- To Paint or Not to Paint? Take a look at those walls. Are there lots of scrapes and marks? Is it faded? Dated? Too bold? What about the outside? The sun and weather can do a number on exterior paint. Most professionals recommend exterior painting every 7 years. That may seem often, but because curb appeal can make-or-break a showing. Fresh paint is a low-hanging fruit and it makes an incredible impact of home buyers!
- Other Ideas? Should you add a plant by that window? A rug over here? A linen throw over there? Should you go all out and hire a professional stager? There are small and easy accents and then there's the $2,000-a-month staging level. That's probably not in the interest of most home sellers these days. But, there are many cost-effective ideas and small enhancements that can help. Hiring a good Realtor with a keen eye for what's getting results in the current market is a great place to start!
Well that about sums up our list! Of course, any list is going to miss a thing or two, so it's not meant to be definitive. And as we mentioned, situations and circumstances change regarding the current market conditions. What makes a good idea in a Buyers Market might not work in a Sellers Market. However, it's a good list to consider, whether you're planning to sell in 6 weeks, 6 months, or 6 years! As always, we're happy to provide no-commitment, stress-free consultations to prep potential sellers. Feel free to contact us anytime!
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