Get your home market ready!
Have you been following the real estate market for the past few months? In addition to those buying their first homes, many more are downsizing or changing houses for a variety of reason.
And today I want to talk about what you can do to get your house ready for sale.
Declutter
First and foremost, you need to DECLUTTER and get rid of everything you do not want or use. If you are dedicated to getting this done fast, you can have it all done in 1 or 2 weeks. Just be aware that it can be tiring and overwhelming in itself, on top of your other daily responsibilities.But if you want to take it slow, make sure to start AT LEAST 1 month prior the photographer coming to take the pictures for your listing! In my experience, it’s best to start 2 months ahead of time. That way you will not feel rushed and still be able to go through every nook and cranny of your house. You will also get to live with a decluttered house for a bit. And when it’s time to pack you might even have another go through your things to see what else you could possibly ditch. Of course, you can start as early as you want!For more strategies on what keep read our “A clear home and mind” blog.
Then comes the curb appeal project.
Some homes don’t require more than mowing the lawn and pruning the tree(s). But for those that have a laundry list of things: Start as early as you can. Handymen, carpenters, construction companies, landscapers, painters – all of these guys and gals are in high demand and constantly booked weeks in advance. Most people are already overwhelmed with the thought of selling a house, never mind the stress of having to get it “pretty” for the showings. The more you spread the projects out over time the less stressful it will feel. You know your house best, so you know what needs to be done. However, don’t go out and invest money in a full-blown renovation if the house doesn’t need it. For the best advice on what you should fix, consult with your realtor.
Inspect the house
This part is as important to you as is to the buyer. If everything is up to code then you have a lesser chance of last-minute issues popping up that could bring down the price of your home. And on the other side, the buyer doesn’t have to worry about potentially buying a money sink.House paperworkMost people accumulate paperwork throughout the years. Some are very important to keep and pass on to the next homeowner. For example, all the appliances or other permanently installed devices manuals, contact details for vendors that come to service the house on regular basis, and town paperwork.Of course, it isn’t mandatory to hand it over, and the new owners may not keep it, but it’s good to have as a point of reference.
And last but not least, find a good real estate agent!
Choosing the right person to help you sell your home is important. There are so many choices, it is good to keep some things in mind before you decide. How long have they been in real estate? Are they familiar with your current area? How are they interacting with people (you will be surprised at the things we hear!)? How many listings have they had in the past few months? It’s an interview process, don’t feel obligated to work with the first one you meet. After all, this is YOUR home and you are looking to find the best deal for YOU. Do your research, read reviews, ask friends and family for recommendations.
If you are ready to get the ball rolling, you can always give us a call to kickstart the project. We can help will all sorts of home related projects - from managing repairs, to helping you declutter and pack. We also help clients with their moving process, including unpacking in the new location.After all, we are the experts at moving and relocation! ~Pavlina