You control two key factors when selling your home that weigh
the outcome in your favor – timing and readiness. (Photo: Pexels).
Tom Kalinski, RE/MAX of Boulder
If you’re selling your home this spring, the best way to sell quickly, painlessly and for the highest price is to put the odds in your favor. You control two key factors that weigh the outcome in your favor – timing and readiness.
The time to sell is right around the corner if 2022 is any indication. Based on last year, April 10-16 could present the ideal balance of housing market conditions that favor home sellers, according to Realtor.com.
In terms of readiness, there’s no time like the present to prepare your home for sale. So get out your clipboard; here’s a checklist to help you freshen your home for a successful sale this spring, drawn from Realtor.com and TheBalanceMoney.com.
Make minor repairs
Many of us become immune to the shortcomings of our homes – we see it every day and begin to overlook some details. Begin prepping your home for sale by going through every room with a critical eye. Flip every switch, turn every faucet handle and make a note of the items that aren’t working correctly. It’s time to fix anything that doesn’t come on easily. Repair broken bulbs, switches, ceiling fans, door knobs, leaky faucets, loose railings and steps.
Touch-up cosmetic detractors
It happens to everyone. An item was dropped and made a hole in the wall, now long since forgotten. It’s time to fix that little blemish as well as others like peeling paint, water damage, or cracked windows, and tiles.
The style of light fixtures and hardware is a sure sign of a dated interior. Installing new fixtures will instantly update your home with more modern and stylish entryway, kitchen, and bathroom selections.
Modernize further by replacing older, less-efficient kitchen appliances with sleek, eco-friendly models to appeal to buyers.
Clear out personal items and clutter
When a buyer tours your home, you want them to imagine how wonderful their life will be living there. To help their vision, put away your personal items, like photos, collections, and knick-knacks. Depersonalizing makes it easier for home shoppers to visualize your home as their home.
Make rooms feel more open by removing outdated, large, and unusual furniture pieces that make it difficult for a buyer to imagine the home filled with their style. Remove the extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room feel larger. Once you’ve removed the extra items, have your home professionally deep-cleaned, especially if you have pets. You’ll want your home to sparkle and smell fresh.
You may want to rent a storage unit to make this process easier. You can store items temporarily and free up the space so your home is open and inviting.
Organize closets and cabinets
A special point of interest for prospective home buyers is the available storage space in a home. Rest assured, those touring your home will open closets and cabinets to check for storage space. Prepare your closets and cabinets for center-stage attention by clearing unneeded items and organizing the contents.
In the kitchen, take care to neatly stack dishes, put like-style glasses together and turn coffee cup handles in the same direction.
Refresh your décor
Remove dated, worn, or dark and heavy items. That wallpaper you loved 25 years ago may look its age. Have it removed and painted with a neutral color that highlights the unique features of your home.
Let in natural light and spotlight windows by removing dark, heavy curtains. Treat your floors to a facelift by replacing old carpet and polishing wood or tile floors.
With a little attention to detail and preparation, you can pave the way to a quicker and more financially positive sale.
Read more tips on preparing your home for sale at: nar.realtor/blogs/styled-staged-sold/your-home-prep-checklist-for-the-spring-selling-season and thebalancemoney.com/how-to-prepare-your-house-for-sale-1799018.
