Tips for Putting Your Home on The Market

Spring and Summertime are the peak seasons for home sales. While some people simply put their home on the market as is, simple changes to your home can make a huge difference. If you are planning on putting your home on the market or updating your home for a future sale, check out our advice on how to fix up your space to sell your home faster and for the price you want.

Make a List of Repairs

Whether you are planning on putting your home on the market now or in the future it is important to start off the process by making a list of repairs. Walk around the interior and exterior of your home and take note of any repairs that need to be made. When making this list it is important to distinguish the big changes from the little ones. If you are selling your home in the near future you want to start with the small repairs first. Certain repair costs for bigger repairs will not be made up for in the sale so it is better to save those to discuss with a real estate agent. It is important to also be realistic about the time it will take to complete these repairs. You do not want to make a list of repairs a month before your house is supposed to be placed on the market. Make your list in advance and give yourself a month or two to complete all minor repairs. Any major repairs can take longer so take this into consideration before you think about putting your house on the market.

Who to Hire

Some people think they can prepare and put their house on the market all on their own. While this is possible, it is substantially easier to hire pros that can help you through the process. One of the most crucial people to hire is a real estate agent. A real estate agent can guide you through the legal jargon that comes with selling a home and can advise you on any changes or updates that you need to make to your home in order for it to sell. Your real estate agent can determine whether those big changes are even necessary to sell your home. There are plenty of real estate agents out there so make sure to shop around before settling on one.  A real estate agent should have good knowledge of your market and give you a reasonable bid on your house. You do not want a real estate agent that will promise you a price just to get your business. A good real estate agent will not be able to tell you the hard truths when it comes to this housing market. Once you have chosen a real estate agent, they can typically advise you on who to hire going forward. A handyman is usually a good person to consider hiring to fix all the small repairs that you cannot do on your own. If you aren’t sure how to complete a repair be sure to call a professional. If you have any broken light fixtures, outlets, or doorbells, call in an electrician. The week your house goes on the market be sure to look into hiring a cleaning service and landscaper. If you are worried about how everything will look for the open house, consider using a home stager as well. Most home stagers can provide you with stylish furniture pieces that will help your house to show better. Consult your real estate agent before you hire anyone! They might have their own recommendations on the best pros in your area.

Start With the Outside

The exterior is the first thing any potential buyer will see upon arriving. Be sure that the exterior of your home is freshened up before it goes on the market. Consider washing the exterior of your house, especially if it has built of dirt and grime over the years. Next, check the driveway and any pathways for damage. You do not want a pothole or a broken step reducing the value of your home or even costing you a sale. Make sure your front door looks nice for any potential buyers. Clean off your steps and consider adding a potted plant or two to make your entryway more inviting.

Remove Clutter and Organize

Once you have completed the exterior of your home, begin working on the interior. Once your have chosen a real estate agent, they can generally point out changes that need to be made or help to set up your space to show to potential buyers. For example, if your home has a tendency to transfer noise easily, your real estate agent might suggest installing a rug and noise reduction rug pad to reduce foot traffic noise. No buyer wants a house where you can hear a pin drop from another floor so small changes like these are easy to make and will help your house show better. A non-slip rug pad will also help with all the foot traffic throughout your house, and keep your house looking nice throughout open houses. Besides the repairs, it is important to remove clutter from your home. You do not want to show a disorganized home to potential buyers, they will not see the potential in the space, they will just see what you have done with it. Make sure to hide your clutter before you put your house on the market. Keep in mind that people will be opening your closets, so don’t overstuff them. Crowded closets and drawers gives off the impression that your house does not have enough storage. Consider renting a storage unit to store excess furniture and accessories.

Selling your home can be extremely stressful. Instead of stressing yourself out over your home sale, take your time to map out changes that need to be made, hire the right people, and organize your life. By doing so, you will make the entire process substantially easier and potentially make more in the end.