How to prep your house for successful, quicker sale
Every homeowner wants to sell their home quickly and for top dollar, but there’s more to selling than selecting an agent and staking a “for sale” sign in the lawn.
Over the last few years the real estate market has largely favored sellers, many of whom fielded multiple offers days or hours after listing their house. However, real estate can be stubbornly unpredictable. Taking some time to properly prepare for the sale can help to maximize buyer interest so that you sell quickly and for a larger profit.
“Providing buyers a positive experience when seeing your home could make them more inclined to make an offer,” said Emily Dessingue, real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway, Blake Realtors.
Buyers are more likely to pay a premium for houses that show well and provide peace of mind. Most buyers will size up for space within seconds and a well-polished home will sell faster and at a higher price, said Craig LeClaire, associate broker with Colonie-based Falvey Real Estate Group, Ltd.
“First impressions are everything,” LeClaire said. When you live in a home for a long time it’s easy to overlook its flaws. The second a potential home buyer pulls up they are inspecting everything.
You want to engage buyers at an emotional level, LeClaire said. You want them to be able to see themselves walking through the front door after a long day, having coffee in your kitchen nook or napping in your living room, not spackling cracked walls, scrubbing tile
grout or repainting baseboard trim.
“People shop with their eyes,” he said. “They look with their eyes to make sure things are pretty, clean and in good shape.”
This doesn’t mean you need to invest a ton of money on major renovations. A buyer may be impressed to see you’ve added a brand new roof, but they likely won’t give you enough extra money to cover the cost,
LeClaire said. Forgo major updates and focus on polishing and enhancing your space. There are plenty of things you can do to juice profits with a bit of elbow grease and a modest budget.
Curb appeal counts
As soon as a potential buyer pulls up to your home you want to make a positive first impression, Dessingue said.
“Pick up any debris on your
lawn, cut the grass, place pretty flower pots on your steps and really ‘wow’ the buyers when they first pull up to your lovely home,” she said.
Rake leaves, remove debris, pull weeds and add fresh mulch to planter beds, LeClaire said. Also be sure to trim any overgrown trees or shrubs and don’t ignore the front door. It’s the first thing buyers will see as they enter your home. Inspect it for peeling, dingy paint, do another coat if needed and be sure to wipe away any finger or pet paw prints left on sidelights and storm doors.
“You really want to put your best foot forward,” he said.
Clean and declutter
A dirty, cluttered house can be a deal breaker even for desperate home buyers. Stock up on cleaning supplies, carve out
some time and give your home a thorough, deep cleaning.
“Cleanliness is everything when it comes to showing your home,” LeClaire said.
Scrub all surfaces, wall plates, lights, chandeliers and baseboard trim. Anything that can be seen should be clean.
Remove clutter from countertops, closets and shelving. If your rooms are stuffed, consider renting a storage unit to temporarily house some of the furnishings and decor to that you’re able to create a sleeker, more spacious look.
Many agents will also recommend depersonalizing your space but LeClaire doesn’t believe that’s necessary as long as your space isn’t too muddle with family photos and intimate memories.
“Some people want to see that a family lived there and that they can comfortably bring their family into the home,” he said.
Make necessary repairs
Ordinary wear and tear occurs over time. You may no
longer notice a faucet leak, wiggly door knob or cracked window, but you can bet a buyer will. It’s important to separate your emotions from the act of selling your house and look at it through a buyer’s eyes.
Go through each room and look for cracks, dents or damage that need repair. You want to make sure everything is working properly. If you have stained carpet, a light that doesn’t work, a toilet that won’t flush or a lot of noticeable cracks, a buyer
may worry about what lurks below the surface.
“You really want to put your best foot forward,” LeClaire said. “Buyers are quite savvy these days.”
If you’re kitchen is a little outdated, you could install new cabinets or countertops, but that will cost you. Instead, invest in updated lighting, a new faucet or more modern cabinet knobs and drawer pulls.
Consider color, too. While you may be fond on the deep navy blue hue on your family room walls, it could turn off a potential buyer. Repaint dark walls with a bright, neutral paint color and open curtains and blinds to let natural light in, LeClaire said.
Consider a pre-inspection
You have a laundry list of to-do items to prep your house to sell, however, you may also want to consider a pre-sale inspection.
A professional home inspector will scrutinize the house for any issues a potential buyer
would want addressed. A presale inspection will cost between $300 and $700. It’s a chunk of change but having someone go over your home gives you the opportunity to make any necessary repairs before it hits the market. You’ll also be able to anticipate any buyer requests so you can better prepare to negotiate and close faster. You don’t want any major surprises stalling — or squashing — a sale.
“There are a lot of benefits to having a pre-inspection done to your house before listing,” Dessingue said. “Overall, it helps you become aware of any potential issues that can be addressed and/or fixed before having buyers see your home, making the selling process a lot smoother.”