Steps to get your house market ready
So you have decided to sell your home: What comes next? How can you lessen the stress? Should you talk to friends and get a referral for an agent? Or should you try to sell the house yourself? At the very least, what else should you be aware of?
Getting a house ready for the market should not be overwhelming. Putting together a plan and making daily progress will insure successful progression toward the goal of being able to show a marketable property. Some suggested things to be aware of:
1. Less is better. De-clutter as best you can.
Take a look at all of the fine things that have been collected over the years. No doubt, sentimental value is attached to a large number of items decorating the home. But, is all of that stuff necessary to sell your home? Do the items add to the character and comfort of the home? If not, make plans to store things that are to be kept after the move at a temporary storage location outside the home (for a short time – if the items are not too fragile or susceptible to heat, a friend’s garage should be free of charge). Remove as much clutter as possible. It will make the house appear both more cleanly and physically larger than would be the case otherwise.
2. Find as much supporting paperwork as you can.
Impress potential buyers with as many owner’s manuals as you can possibly find and put them together in binders. Of course this is not always so easy, especially when the house has been occupied for a lengthy amount of time and supporting documentation has been misplaced. But, buyers will be far more apt to make a full offer if they feel the homeowner has taken care of the property and has the paperwork to support a premium asking price.
3. Use referrals to find an agent or work with a real estate investor.
Agents abound. So, how do you pick the one that is right for you? Referrals are fine if the agent is highly knowledgeable about your specific neighborhood and you feel comfortable with his or her personality. But, what if you get pressure to retain the services of a family friend or relative? The decision is certainly not to be taken lightly. Tens of thousands of dollars are potentially at risk. Alternately, perhaps, the best route would be to work with a reputable real estate investor, especially if the condition of the house is less than stellar and upfront money is difficult to come by.
4. Repair any visible damage, renovate when necessary.
Following a walk around with your agent, you should have a valid to-do list of easier repairs and things requiring consultation and/or professional help. Do what you can to save money, but do not make repairs outside your comfort or skill level. Saving money that you do not have to spend is smart. Making repairs that are “over your head” and may look tacky or cause worse issues in the future are obviously not recommended. If professional assistance is in fact warranted, ask your agent for referrals as they are in the industry and will no doubt have a short list of preferred specialists. However, remember to keep professional integrity in mind and realize some referrals may logically benefit the real estate agent. While not being overly paranoid, ask for references and try to assure there is not collusion among professionals to your detriment.
Take note of these straightforward ideas after you have decided to sell and you will undoubtedly be well on your way to lessening stress and tackling tasks to vastly increase the probability of successfully selling your home for top dollar.