How Do You Sell Your Home? The Ultimate First-Time Seller Checklist
Residential sales happen all around the year, but how do you sell your home in the most successful way possible? The process may seem tangled, but a handful of pre-sale investments can improve the likelihood of attracting potential buyers.
Whether it’s cleaning, fixing a leaking pipe, or getting your driveway pressure-washed, it’s a fair trade if any of your efforts can lead to faster sales. However, homeowners often remain confused about what to do. In this excerpt, we’ll explore every factor that will ensure a successful sale of your home.
How Do You Sell Your Home? Top 8 Priorities
When listing your home for sale, it is important to invest in its appeal. But, unfortunately, a fresh coat of paint won’t do the trick. Some other things are also buyer-important and need your attention.
1. Declutter and Depersonalize
When considering how to sell your home, one crucial step is ensuring potential buyers feel the space is theirs. Therefore, it’s essential to declutter and depersonalize. Removing personal items, family photos, and other YOU-themed things are some of the major areas to start with.
Spacious kitchens, bathrooms, and storage areas are big sale pointers. Therefore, experts recommend cleaning 50% of the items to reveal the maximum space [1]. Create piles of things you want to donate, sell, or gift. If you have a big house, you can begin by decluttering each room individually rather than taking on the whole home.
2. Enhance Curb Appeal
First impressions matter, and house hunters take them a little too seriously. Therefore, ensure that your home’s exterior is inviting and well-maintained. Experts say staged properties sell 10% more expensive than non-staged ones [2]. Therefore, many homeowners tend to hire professional stagers.
But if you have budgetary constraints, then you can paint the front door, add potted plants, mow your lawn, trim hedges, clean windows, get your driveway in shape, etc. Enhancing curb appeal attracts potential buyers and provides a solid answer to how to sell your home creatively.
3. Make Necessary Repairs
Take the time to address any minor repairs or maintenance issues before considering to sell your house. Leaky faucets, chipped bathroom tiles, or dusty vents may have little to no effect on your life. However, buyers are a red flag, and they might anticipate that bigger issues will be present under the surface.
However, homeowners often make the mistake of spending a large sum on home repairs. Instead, it’s better to walk through your home and list all imperfections. Then, consult your real estate agent and work on only the issues important to buyers.
4. Deep Clean
Smells often take up residence in your house; only a deep clean can make them disappear. Things that can cause smells in your home include carpets, rubbish bins, pet beds, and sometimes, houses also develop a musty smell due to indoor plants, gardens, or pools.
So, how do you sell your home if any of these issues persist? The answer is simple: Ask your friends and family for honest opinions. After thorough cleaning, you can also purchase some scents to keep your home smelling fresh.
5. Gather Documents
The next vital thing to do when you sell your home for cash is to gather all important documents. A file of your important home documents may include home insurance documents, mortgage payoff statements, state disclosure forms, property tax records, etc [2].
Note that all these documents have legal standings, and incomplete paperwork can drive interesting buyers away. Therefore, hiring a real estate agent to align the paperwork before a sales listing is critical.
6. Improve Lighting
Lighting plays a critical part in making or breaking your house’s sale. Usually, when photographers arrive to take photographs for the listing, they emphasize improved lighting more than anything [3]. Fortunately, you can do a lot without spending a single penny.
Open the blinds and windows to let natural light pour in. But how do you sell your home in winter when there is less light? Well, in winter or evening shoots, use floor and table lamps to add brilliance to the space. Lamps are more versatile than fixed electric illuminations, as you can carry them anywhere.
7. Create a Welcoming Atmosphere
Creating a welcoming atmosphere is a priceless strategy when thinking of creative ways to ‘sell my house.’ And it doesn’t require a large budget. Ensure the house’s entrance is clean and tidy to the core. Now embellish the place with flowers, scented candles, music, etc.
Highlighting the focal points of the house can do the trick for selling your home fast. If you have a novel window or an original fireplace, consider highlighting them with a new lick of paint or wall hangings. However, avoid costly additions if you want a quick sale [4].
To Sum Up
Preparing your home for sale requires careful planning and attention to detail, but it’s a worthwhile investment that can pay off in the form of a quicker sale and a higher selling price. So, how do you sell your home effectively?
By following the steps above and working with a trusted real estate professional, you can maximize your home’s potential and make a lasting impression on potential buyers. So roll up your sleeves, put in the effort, get professional property fixes, and get ready to say goodbye to your old home as you take on the next chapter of your life.
FAQs
- How can I attract more buyers to sell my property?
Utilize high-quality photos, online listings, and social media to showcase your home to a wide audience of potential buyers.
- How do you sell your home for the right price?
Work with a real estate professional to conduct a comparative market analysis and determine a competitive yet realistic price for your abode.
- How can I make my home stand out from the competition?
Highlighting unique features, emphasizing its best qualities, and ensuring it’s well-maintained and move-in ready for buyers can help you stand apart from your competition.
- Is staging my home necessary to sell your house?
Staging can help buyers envision living in the space, leading to quicker sales and potentially higher offers than conventional approaches.
- Should I invest in upgrades before selling my home?
Focus on small, cost-effective upgrades like fresh paint, updated fixtures, and minor kitchen or bathroom renovations. You should only consider major upgrades after consulting your real estate agent.
External Links
[1]https://www.opendoor.com/articles/how-to-prepare-your-house-for-sale
[2]https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/prepare-your-home-for-sale/#staging
[3]https://www.pettyson.co.uk/about-us/our-blog/563-prepare-your-home-for-sale
[4]https://www.moving.com/tips/how-to-get-your-house-ready-to-sell/