Preparing your House for Sale

Do you want to sell your home this summer? You may have found a better property at your dream location or are just starting out as a property developer.

Whatever the reasons for selling, you have to prep the house before you list it. This is because you only get one chance to make an impression on a potential buyer. If your home looks untidy and unkempt, the buyer is not going to make you an offer. You have to do the following if you want to prepare your house for sale:

Tips on Preparing your House for Sale

 

1. Work on your Landscaping

 

In most cases, buyers will see your yard before they enter the house. You have to take care of it so that you can improve the curb appeal. Put on your gloves and get your gardening tools. Start by picking any stones and sweeping away any dry leaves or debris that may have fallen on the garden.

Then, slowly handpick any weeds that may have grown in the yard. Take your time and don’t try to rush it. You may be tempted to skip this part because weeds are also green. However, home buyers tend to notice even the littlest of things. If they see weeds, they will assume that you have poor property management skills.

You should also mow the lawn and keep the grass level. The mistake that some people make is forgetting to mow the outside of the lawn. You can start with the outside, and then slowly move inside.

If you are planning to hold an open house within a couple of months, you can plant seasonal flowers that will bloom during the open day period.

2. Get Rid of Any Dirt outside the House

After you have prepared the yard, it’s time to move on to the actual house. Start by cleaning the porch. You should brush and mop it so that is spotless. Clean the gutters and outside cladding. You should also clean the main door and windows from the outside. This is because dust tends to settle on such areas.

When your house is spotless on the outside, it gives off the impression that the inside is also the same. As a result, the buyer will be eager to embark on an interior tour of the house.

3. Get Rid of Any Personalized Items in the Interior

The first piece of advice that most property management companies will give you is that you have to get rid of any personal items before you put up your house for sale. First and foremost, you have to accept the fact that the house is no longer yours – it’s an item that you want to sell. Disassociate yourself from the house.

After you’ve gotten rid of any emotional connection that you may have towards the house, it’s time to get rid of your family pictures. You should also get rid of any personal paintings. You want your buyer to imagine their pictures and paintings hanging on the walls. They can’t do that if your family picture is still on the wall.

4. Declutter

You will be surprised at how much junk you have collected over the years after you begin the decluttering process. Go through all the rooms and identify things that you don’t necessarily use. You may realize that you have extra mugs or clothes that you have never worn.

5. Deep Clean the Interior

After you have removed the unwanted junk, it’s time to do some thorough cleaning. You can call some friends over to help you out with this task. Divide yourselves into groups of two for every room.

Make sure that floors are mopped, the walls are cleaned of any stains, and the ceiling and light fixtures are wiped. The windows and doors should also be cleaned. Pay attention to the kitchen and bathroom areas. Make sure that the sinks, faucets, and cabinets are spotless. The furniture should also be dust free.

6. Sort Out Things in the Closets, Drawers, and Cabinets

Your buyers are likely to open the closets, cabinets, and drawers as they examine the house. They may do so out of curiosity or because they want to see how much space is available. This is why everything has to be neat. You have to properly hang the shirts in the closets or sheets in the drawers.

Even though it’s advisable to get rid of any personal items, sometimes you may have to leave some things in the closets and drawers so that the house can feel warmer and inviting.

7. Replace your Favorite Items

One of the biggest problems for firms that offer property management services is a buyer-seller dispute over an item that was removed after the open house. Perhaps the buyer saw a nice antique chandelier and thought that it came with the house. However, after purchasing the house, they discover that the item is missing. The buyer may demand a partial refund or sue you.

If you want to avoid such drama, make sure that you remove your favorite items from display before the actual open house.

8. Make the Necessary Repairs

Perhaps there is a leak on the roof or piping system. Make sure that you call professionals to deal with any repairs before the buyer sees the house. Any problems with the house can turn off the buyer or make you receive a lower offer on the house.

Final Thoughts

Use the above strategies if you want to prepare your house for sale and get it off the market as quickly as possible. You should also go for a simplistic furniture arrangement and use neutral colors on the interior.

In case, you want to know how you can set the property rental pricing as you wait for potential buyers, you can visit the Coast and Valley website.