There are a few people whose homes are in condition to put on the market at almost any time. For most people, however, getting it ready to sell for the best price in the shortest amount of time requires some additional work.
HOUSE BLINDNESS
After you live in a home for awhile you tend to suffer from ‘house blindness’. You get so used to seeing your house every day that you often overlook things that potential buyers may see immediately. I can’t tell you how many sellers tell me of the things they were going to change right away when they bought… but they got used to them and never got around to fixing them. Now is the time to take a fresh look with ‘buyer’s eyes’!
It’s useful to have someone who doesn’t live in your home go through it with you for a fresh perspective. It could be your Realtor and/or stager, a friend, neighbor or family member. It can also be useful to go through with more than one person, we all see things a little differently. Your local Realtor or stager can give you insight into what appeals to buyers in your area and what changes will yield the best return. Don’t take comments personally or in a negative way… an outsider’s view is extremely valuable, and it’s better to hear it from someone you know and trust before you hear it from a potential buyer.
Start with an exterior checklist of items to review including: driveway, sidewalk, steps, railing, front door, house numbers, lighting (so they can see you house numbers at night), roof, windows, exterior paint/siding, rain gutters, drainage and grading, landscaping, deck/patio, garage.
Then go room by room inside checking items such as: ceilings, lighting, floors, walls, paint, trim, window coverings, clutter, furnishings. Kitchens and bathrooms can make or break a sale… make sure they sparkle and there are no dripping faucets or leaking toilets. If you haven’t had your furnace cleaned and tuned for awhile this is a good time to have it done… it’s one of the most common buyer requests.
FIXUPS , INSPECTIONS & DE-CLUTTERING
Armed with your ‘To-Do’ list following the review of your property, you are ready move on to the next steps. If you plan to put your home on the market ASAP, get your city inspection completed right away if required so you can include those items in your fixups. (Check to see if your city requires an inspection before selling your home.)
I often meet to review a property months or even more than a year before it is actually listed for sale, giving the seller time to spread out both the work and associated costs over time. There is no right or wrong way to do it, just what is right for you. If you have lived in your current home a long time, de-cluttering can be the most difficult of all the steps! Overwhelmed by de-cluttering and need help? Contact Clutter 911 for a free consultation.
STAGING
Staging is a relatively new term, and while many people have heard about it there is still confusion about what it really means. In simple terms it’s just getting your home in top condition and ‘neutralizing’ the space with a minimum of ‘stuff’ so potential buyers can picture themselves in your home.
Staging, which is showcasing your home to sell, is different from decorating… which creates an attractive and comfortable place to live. It is wise to meet with your Realtor and stager for their input early in your preparations… it could even save you some time and money!
Once your home is staged and ready it ceases to be ‘your home’ and becomes a piece of real estate to sell… staged and ready to help potential buyers fall in love with it so they can make it their new home!
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results – shensrud@homesmsp.com
