It may be tempting to put your home on the market as soon as you feel ready to sell. However, it is important to make sure that it is in its best condition before doing so. If you do not take the steps to prepare your home for sale, chances are you may not get as high of a sale price as you were hoping for.
Home For Sale & First Impression
The first impression of your home is huge when it comes to resale. Some aspects to take into consideration when referring to “first impressions” are your home’s curb appeal. The photos posted in your listing play an important role. The photos posted within your listing may sound trivial, but this is your 100% first impression to potential buyers. If they do not find the home to be appealing by the photos they see and the information within the listing, they will more than likely not even proceed with setting an appointment to see the property. So although you may be thinking “It looks so much better in person,” that isn’t always a great thing. The first step in the selling process is getting potential buyers to make appointments.
Curb Appeal
Once you have drawn them in with your listing and the appointments are filling up, it is time to wow them in person. The curb appeal and exterior condition/décor of your home is the first “in person” impression. When potential buyers step onto your property you want them to feel like they could imagine themselves and their family living here and you want them to be genuinely impressed.
Simple updates can easily increase the curb appeal of your home like:
- New landscaping
- Replacing broken windows or doors
- Installing new gutters and/or specialty gutters
- Adding shutters
- Adding unique décor to your yard
See some more tips and details on improving and increasing your curb appeal HERE.
Interior Updates For The Sale Of Your Home
When it comes to the interior of your home is is very common for homeowners to do some updating or renovating before putting their home on the market. This can drastically improve your resale value once you do put your home for sale. Some common updates include:
- Modernizing or updating the kitchen
- Modernizing or updating the bathroom
- Cleaning rugs
- Replacing rugs with hard wood
- Adding extras like fire places
- Opening up the home by knocking down walls
- Painting
- Updating outdated rooms
- Finishing a basement
Aside from appearance, there are also a few other areas to take into account.
- Check information and research on property and building – Potential buyers often will research a property or building they are looking to buy online prior to coming out to see your home or prior to purchase. It is important that you do this research yourself so you are aware of any red flags or issues that you may need to solve prior to selling.
- Time on the market – The more time your home spends on the market, the less potential buyers value your home and the more wiggle room they have for negotiating a lower price. Because of this, it is again important to make sure your house is market ready before listing it. Also make sure your listing price is fair.
- Inspection – Knowing about your home’s condition can help you to formulate a fair and accurate listing price, and also avoid any surprises later. When a potential buyer gets their own home inspection on your property, you will already be aware of any potential issues and can get ahead of them. During a buyer’s inspection, the “issues” that are found are often used as bargaining chips for a lower price. The more prepared and informed you are prior to resale, the less bargaining chips the potential buyer will have.
- Full disclosure – If you are aware of problems with your home, or areas that need to be repaired and you do not inform potential buyers, they can later come to you for the money to make these repairs. So although it may be tempting to leave out any negatives, it could come back to hurt you. Full disclosure is always the best option!
Spring Is Here
As the weather gets warmer and Spring and Summer approaches, homes for sale on the market will increase, and it is important to begin to take these steps and prepare your home for the best sale value. Make sure to imagine yourself in the buyer’s shoes, just as they will be imagining themselves as your home's new owner!
