How to Prepare Your Home for Sale

 

Whether you find yourself in a buyers’ or sellers’ real estate market, getting the best price for your home requires considerable preparation.  Ultimately, marketing your home effectively starts with a few simple tasks that you should tackle before you put it up for sale.  The following tips on how to prepare your home for sale will help you get top dollar.

 

Get Things in Order

 

From cleaning and landscaping to making repairs, getting your home in order is the first step to a good sale.  Even though we’ve been taught never to judge a book by its cover, this adage does not ring true for real estate transactions.  Curb appeal is likely one of the first things your real estate agent will mention because they know you need to make a good impression on potential buyers.  This means your yard must look immaculate – cut your lawn, trim your hedges, and weed your garden.

 

You’ll also want the exterior of your home to look clean and tidy.  Obviously, you need to remove unnecessary clutter and garbage, but you’ll also want to consider power washing exterior surfaces such as siding, decks, and driveways.  Any noticeable repairs must also be accounted for – this means no broken windows, shabby shingles, or other signs your home isn’t in tip top condition.

 

Make your Space Comfortable

 

An inviting home is a home that sells quickly and for a good price.  Just as you would remove clutter from your yard, you should de-clutter the interior of your home.  A fresh coat of paint in neutral colours is also advisable as it gives your home not only a “new” appearance, but also enables potential buyers to visualize their own sense of décor.  Personal items should be neatly organized and out of sight – remove family photographs, keep bathrooms free of cosmetics and personal hygiene items, and remove appliances from kitchen surfaces.  This will help to create the sense of space and will ensure potential buyers aren’t distracted from seeing themselves living in the home.

 

Clean Homes Sell

 

Finally, it can’t be stressed enough that your home must be cleaner than ever.  All surfaces must be polished and sparkling, closets and drawers should be highly organized, and anything that emits bad odors must be neutralized.  You want to create the most positive possible atmosphere for potential buyers and make sure not to give the impression that your home is uncomfortable, disorganized, or requiring major work to get it up to snuff.

Often times, homeowners are surprised at the impact that a little preparation can make not only in the speed of a sale but also in the final price fetched; but when you speak to real estate experts, they’ll almost always offer the same advice.  Create a clean slate in your home and buyers will be attracted.