How much time do sellers need to get a home ready for market?

The short answer is: “It depends!” You may already be ready to list if your home is tastefully updated, uncluttered, sparkling clean, smartly furnished, with all mechanicals working, and appliances looking and performing like new, if the closets are organized and your grounds are well landscaped and maintained. Today’s buyers expect all this and more, including a competitive, fair price.

As potential home seller, if you are prepared to this degree, you have my hearty congratulations. Impressive!

There’s also the challenge of preparing to show your home online, and this is essential.

Buyers have web access to a wealth of information about your home and others, such as property taxes, ratings of local schools and more.

Buyers will “Google” your street and your home, checking the tax records for what you paid for your home and when. They may also review your past building permits and approvals, and consider the zoning regulations and restrictions. To ensure a clear title for sale, it’s important to resolve and close any open permits.

Because the Internet offers real estate information galore, today’s buyers can scrutinize your home, inside and outside, before stepping across the threshold. They can eliminate it from consideration, without you ever being aware that they gave it a moment’s thought. The way your home is presented on the Internet makes all the difference. Naturally, your home shows best with professional photography, including droneassisted photos if needed, floor plans and video. All of these tools can be quickly executed under the guidance of your chosen Realtor.

Today’s buyers are picky. In the past, buyers were willing to redecorate and update to personalize their newly purchased home in exchange for a reduced price. In general, today’s buyers prefer a home to be turnkey.

If there is any question concerning the condition of a home, it may be wise for the seller to pay for an inspection and fix the identified deficiencies. This way, your Realtor can market this updated maintenance of your home as evidence that the buyer can move in – no surprises. This extra time, effort and expense can increase interest in your home and traffic through your home, helping to ensure that the sale of your home closes expeditiously, to the first buyer, who presents an attractive, accepted offer.

Nancy Sears, William Raveis Real Estate, (203) 5592549 cell, nancy.sears@raveis.com