How to Prepare Your Home to Sell in Today's Market

Many sellers purchased their homes 10-20 years ago and made upgrades that mattered to them, turning a house into a home.  It was comfortable, familiar, and reflected the style of the time.

 

Fast forward 10-20 years, and buyers may be looking for something different.

 

Let's start at the curb and take a closer look. 

Today's buyers often notice maintenance items first: the age of the roof, HVAC, and water heater, as well as the exterior's overall condition.   

 

Look through a buyer's eyes.  Does the exterior need a fresh coat of paint?  Are the windows and screens clean and in good condition?  If your house is block and stucco, is it free of cracks?  Has the color faded?  If your house is vinyl sided, does it need power washed?  Are the shutters faded?  Is the front door visible, or does it need fresh paint too?  How's the landscaping?  Does it need a good trimming?  Do the beds need weeding?  Would some fresh mulch help?  Curb appeal matters because buyers begin forming an opinion before they ever walk through the front door.

 

 

You've heard this before.  Do you really have to?  YES!  Neutral colors generally appeal to the widest audience.  If your home has brightly colored or highly personalized finishes, consider whether a few simple updates could make the home feel fresher and more current.  Carpet is no longer a desirable flooring.  Buyers are looking for flowing tile, luxury vinyl planking, or waterproof laminate.  This is not as expensive as you think.

 

Decluttering is just as important.  Pack away personal collections, excess decor, and personal photos.  You're moving anyway, so getting a head start on packing can make the home feel larger while making your eventual move easier!

 

 

Clear off those counters and remove unnecessary appliances.  Buyers want to see the counter space - not everything that normally lives on it.

 

And yes, buyers will open cabinets, pantry doors, and drawers.  Keeping them neat and organized gives the impression that the home has plenty of storage.

 

 

Look closely at the details.  Is the trim fresh and free of smudges and fingerprints?  Are there holes from hanging items that need patching and touch-ups?  Do all of the doors open and shut properly?  Small maintenance items can make buyers wonder what larger items may have been overlooked.

 

 

We love our pets, but during showings, remove pet beds, toys, feeding dishes, and other obvious signs of pets whenever possible.  Keep litter boxes clean and out of view, and make sure the home smells fresh.

 

 

Walk outside, come back through your front door, and pretend you're seeing your house for the first time.  Would you want to come inside?  

 

Preparing your home properly can help it photograph better, show better, and appeal to many more buyers - which can ultimately help reduce your days on market!