If this year in residential real estate is anything like last year, Spring Market will get off to an early start!
So if you’ve been considering selling, now is the time to take action. Proper prep is critical if you want your home to sell fast at the maximum possible price. The tips below make a great starting point.
2020 was a Great Year for Residential Real Estate and 2021 is forecasted to be just as strong. Based on data from NTREIS MLS and Showing Time for Jan. 27, 2021 vs. Jan. 27, 2020.
Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Tips for Preparing Your Home to Sell
Repair
Before anything else, make any obvious or large-scale repairs — think roof repairs, problems with the floor, doors or windows, and mechanical issues or plumbing. If you're not sure what needs repairing and just want to be thorough, consider a pre-listing home inspection to head off any unpleasant surprises uncovered by a potential buyer’s own inspection.
Declutter
Go through closets, cabinets and drawers and donate anything you don't need or no longer use. Then depersonalize the house, removing personal photos and memorabilia. Think about putting some furniture, knick-knacks and unnecessary items into storage until you're ready to move. The more spacious your home looks, the better!
Touch Up
A fresh coat of paint can go a long way to making a home look clean and full of possibilities. Go room by room, replacing bold or bright colors with white, eggshell or another neutral. You might need primer, too, depending on how dark the original hue is. Also touch up any areas that are smudged or dirty, including doors, baseboards, door frames and window sills.
Spruce Up
If your home’s exterior looks messy or boring, you'll want to invest a little in curb appeal. To start, mow, edge and trim the entire property, and weed the garden as well. You also might want to repaint your front door, power wash the driveway and plant some flowers — little things go a long way.
Deep Clean
If you can afford it, swing for a professional cleaning service, as they'll get super detailed — down to scrubbing the grout and hand-wiping the baseboards. If you do it yourself, just make sure to be thorough.
Extras
Finally, it's time for the little details: fresh flowers in the bathrooms, a wreath on the door and a cute mat on the front porch to make buyers feel welcome.