Selling your home can be an exciting yet stressful time. After all, your property is likely one of your biggest assets and putting it on the market involves a lot of preparation. While the housing market can fluctuate, there are key steps you can take to set your home up for success when you decide the time is right to sell.
We’ll walk through a checklist of tips to optimize your property before listing it so you can get the best price possible. From decluttering and staging to setting a competitive asking price, we’ll explore some best practices for how to prepare your real estate for sale.
Declutter and Clean Thoroughly
When potential buyers come to view your property, you want them to easily envision themselves living there. That’s hard to do if your home is cluttered. Take the time to declutter every room and clean thoroughly before listing your home.
Go through each closet, drawer, and shelf and remove items you no longer need. Donate or sell unwanted clothes and household items. Store any personal keepsakes you want to take with you. Clear off countertops and surfaces so they appear clean and spacious.
It’s also important to tackle any repairs or issues around the house. Fill holes in the wall, fix leaky faucets, repair cracked tiles, and repaint any scuffed walls. You want your home to look move-in ready. Price drops often happen when buyers think they’ll have to invest money into renovations after purchase.
Stage Your Property
Home staging is the process of arranging furnishings and decor to highlight the best features of a home. Statistics show that staged homes sell faster and for more money.
Remove excess furniture so each room appears spacious. Orient beds, sofas, and desks to create a good flow in the room. Incorporate neutral colours and declutter surfaces. Add green plants and flowers for pops of colour.
You especially want to stage your kitchen and bathrooms since these spaces sell homes. A brightly lit, organized kitchen looks inviting. Bathrooms should be spotless with fresh towels on racks and nice soap displays.
First impressions matter immensely, so also make sure your entryway and living spaces are welcoming. A neatly manicured lawn and vibrant garden can increase curb appeal. You want buyers to fall in love with your property as soon as they pull into the driveway.
Set a Competitive Asking Price
One of the most important factors when selling your home is setting the right asking price. The price is too high and your property may sit on the market for months. Price too low and you may lose out on money you could have received for your real estate asset.
Do market research to understand what comparable homes in your area have sold for recently. Location, square footage, amenities, and condition will impact value. Consider any upgrades you’ve made to optimize sales price.
It’s wise to get an appraisal before listing your property. An appraiser will assess your home’s value based on market data and comparable sales. Real estate agents can also help recommend a listing price. Consider pricing just below market value to generate interest and potentially spark a bidding war between interested buyers.
- Complete Guide to Selling Your House Fast in the UK
- The Benefits of Using a House Removal Service Over DIY
- How to Start a Real Estate Business
- How to Become a Real Estate Agent
- How to Prepare for Real Estate Sale?
- What is Real Estate? An Introduction to the World of Property
- How to get into real estate UK
Market Your Property Effectively
To attract qualified buyers, you need to market your real estate where they’re looking. Online listings and printed flyers will only take you so far.
Enlist a real estate agent to help market your property. They have more insight into the types of marketing that work for your area and home type. Agents have access to listing services like MLS that expand your home’s visibility to thousands of buyers and agents.
Great photography and videography are musts to showcase your home’s best features online. Be strategic with the photos you take or have professionally captured. Emphasize bright, spacious rooms and picture-perfect outdoor spaces.
Virtual tours make it simple for potential buyers to view your property even if they live farther away. They can get a feel for the layout and flow before scheduling an in-person visit. Open houses are another way to put your property in front of more potential buyers.
Anticipate the Paperwork
Once you receive an offer, there are many legal documents and disclosures required to complete the sale. This paperwork summarizes the property condition, terms of the sale, and more.
The seller disclosure provides information about the home’s features, any known defects, and recent updates. The lead-based paint disclosure identifies any risks from lead-based paint. Other standard forms include the sales contract, seller financing addendum if you’re offering financing, and any state-specific disclosures.
It can take 30-60 days to close after the offer is accepted. During this time, the buyer will secure financing and conduct inspections. The closing documents officially transfer ownership of the property and record the sale. An experienced real estate attorney can help navigate any paperwork.
Preparing your home for sale is a process, but taking these key steps will help you achieve the best price possible in the real estate market. De-cluttering, cleaning, staging, pricing right, marketing thoroughly, and getting legal paperwork in order sets you up for success. With the tips above, you can feel confident your property will have a competitive edge.
