Get Real with Doug Robinson: 10 Ways to Prep Your Home for Sale

10 Ways to Prep Your Home for Sale

When selling your home, first impressions can make or break your sale. Even though we don’t live in a market with a high inventory of homes for sale, many homebuyers will still walk away without making an offer if they find real or perceived issues with your home. I believe these ten tips will help you prep your home for a quick sale.

Prioritize Curb Appeal
The first impression your buyers develop will be based on your home’s curb appeal which means it needs to be the first priority on your list. Tend to the landscape, pressure wash the walkways, repaint, or wash the exterior, and make sure all outdoor lighting is bright. If you have a porch or space around the doorway, consider staging it with inviting plants, wreaths, or doormats.
Complete Renovations
If you’re considering renovations before selling your home, you must complete them before you list the home. If you don’t believe you’ll be able to finish the project by that time, do not start. Buyers who see a work-in-progress may think that other areas of the home are unfinished or need remodeling.
Make Necessary Repairs
Any smaller repairs around the house should also be fixed before the listing is active. This includes the types of items you may find on a typical “honey-do” list: recaulking windows, fixing leaks, and replacing cracked tiles.
Focus on Sight & Smell
While buyers tour your home, they’ll have a sharp eye and a keen nose. Any lingering odors or areas of neglect will be caught the minute they walk into the room. Make sure every corner from the ceiling to the floor is cleaned and that any smells are aired out before each showing. Don’t try to cover smells with other fragrances, it becomes overpowering.
Declutter & Depersonalize
Cleaning your home means more than simply removing dirt and odor. You must also make your home appear organized. Declutter spaces by finding homes for all objects instead of letting them pile up in closets or drawers. Before selling your home, remove all family photographs and other personal belongings that make the buyer feel like they’re in “someone else’s” home.
Paint Walls Neutral Colors
One way to make your space feel like a blank canvas for the buyer is to paint your walls neutral colors. Use whites, beiges, and grays to create a clean slate throughout.
Stage the Home
Although you may love your furniture, your buyers might not. Professional staging companies will gladly come into your home and highlight the best features of your home. Their choice of furniture and décor will also appeal to a wider audience, allowing buyers to envision themselves living in the home.
Leave All Relevant Paperwork Out
Help buyers build confidence in the property by leaving out all relevant paperwork regarding the home. This includes all warranties for appliances, all repair or renovation paperwork, any liens that were on the home, and all other information that a buyer should have transparent access to such as the Sellers Property Disclosure.
Ask Your Neighbors for Help
Unfortunately, buyers may weigh your neighbor’s properties in their opinion of your home. Before your showings, offer to mow your neighbor’s lawn if they’re unable to or ask if they can leave parking space available on the curb.
Create an Inviting Space
When you welcome buyers into your house, you want them to feel at home. For open houses, I leave out small snacks and beverages. Be sure to open all blinds and close all toilet lids. Invest in high-quality photography so your home looks inviting in the digital listing as well.