Ask the Expert
How to Prepare to Your Home for Sale
Preparing to sell your home is one of the most important things to focus on to accomplish a sale quickly and for top dollar. Don’t underestimate the power of first impressions. The more you can do to set your home apart and impress buyers, the better. Here are some tips to get started:
Reduce the clutter
Unless the home is vacant, you should strive to create an environment that is neutral so that the home appeals to as many buyers as possible. Try to limit personal items and pack away all other non-essentials like photos, books, extra blankets, magazines, magnets, wires and cords, bathroom toiletries, kitchen knickknacks, etc. Then it’s a good idea to evaluate the furniture and arrangement. There may be too much stuff in too small a space or it could be set up in a way that makes the space feel cramped or awkward. Moving excess furniture into the garage or a storage space for a short time is a good way to reduce the clutter plus it helps make the home feel larger too. As an added bonus, you also get a jumpstart on packing!
Clean, clean, clean
Once your home is for sale, agents and buyers can call at anytime to schedule a showing so you always have to be prepared. That can be especially hard when you are living in the home, but there are some things you can do to make it easier. The best plan is to do a thorough cleaning right before listing the home (especially bathrooms and kitchens). Don’t forget the curb appeal as well; make sure the dirt, cobwebs and leaves are cleared away from the entry. Make it a habit to tidy up each night since the mornings can be hectic and consider hiring a maid service once a week if needed. The effort will pay off. A neat home will appeal to more people and help increase your bottom line significantly!
Quickly complete necessary projects and repairs
If you are trying to present your home as a turnkey option and get top dollar, then you want to make sure things are in working order. Touch up paint, damaged flooring, broken or missing doors or non-working light fixtures should be repaired. In some cases, it may be necessary to repaint or install new carpet. It’s a good idea to get an unbiased opinion of what buyers expect in your market. Obviously weighing out the potential costs and expected benefits is important here. For instance, a professional carpet cleaning may suffice, rather than the trouble and expense of a new installation.
Get a fresh perspective
One way to do this is to let a local realtor or interior designer tour your home and give constructive criticism. Another easy thing to do is take some photos of the rooms in your home. It can be really helpful to see your home in a different light. Also, if you are at a loss for how to arrange a space, consider looking at Pinterest or Houzz.com for ideas. Professional stagers are also an invaluable resource and are often able to help sellers get a higher price for their home.
Interview Realtors
Select a couple of different local realtors to interview. It’s important to hear the plans and suggestions of at least two or three agents. More than that will likely be too overwhelming. To find your prospective realtor, you can ask for referrals from friends, reach out to realtors who you know do business in your area or search for agents online. Then set up a meeting and see who meets (or better yet – exceeds) your expectations.
Access and Openness
Once your home is for sale, you will need to allow agents and buyers access to your home. Think about your comfort level and discuss that with your agent so you can come up with a plan that will help sell your home effectively. In my experience, the easier it is to show a home, the easier and faster it will sell. Also, be prepared for the exposure that comes with marketing your home. For instance, will you choose to do open houses, have a “for sale” sign out front, etc.? Discuss these details with your agent. Generally, making your home visible and accessible can offer great benefits. However, every situation is different and talking about them up front is key.
Know your selling costs
Many homeowners have never sold a home before so they are not familiar with the expenses they will have. The fees can vary but in general sellers will be responsible for agency fees, title fees, escrow fees, and some other negotiated items. It’s a good idea to get a breakdown up front so you have a better idea what your net proceeds will be once the home sells.
Plan for closing time
You have to start thinking about where you’re headed. Once you accept an offer, the escrow period is generally about 30 days. That means sellers may be expected to move out on day 30 once the sale is complete and hand over the keys to the buyers. These terms can be negotiated. For instance, in many cases, the buyer will agree to let the sellers have a couple of extra days in the house to finish moving or cleaning. This should be agreed to early on though since buyers often plan to move in and take possession as soon as escrow closes. If you do not believe you can find a place to go within 30 days of accepting an offer, there are other options that can be discussed.
There’s a lot to think about and the more you can prepare the less stressful the process will be. From packing boxes to finding a place to move, selling your home can be an enjoyable journey.
Holly Schwartz is a realtor with Villa Real Estate and lives in Costa Mesa. She has recently been featured on HGTV’s “House Hunters” and relocated in 2003 from the East Coast.
