We\u2019re in a historically hot real estate market right now, so it\u2019s a great time to be a seller. Maybe you want to move to a warmer climate, or maybe you want to upgrade your investments \u2014 but you shouldn\u2019t have much trouble finding a buyer, even if you\u2019re selling a dilapidated property.<\/p>\n
But just because you could sell your home with no effort, doesn\u2019t mean you should sell your home with no effort. A little bit of work getting your home ready for the market can pay off big\u2014 literally.<\/p>\n
Follow these 11 tips on getting your home ready to sell, and you\u2019re sure to boost your final sale price by thousands of dollars!<\/p>\n
Do Your Market Research<\/strong><\/p>\n Home prices vary wildly by city, by neighborhood \u2014 and even by block. Look up recent sales of similar homes in your immediate area (the previous six months is good) to get a good idea of how you should price your home.<\/p>\n Location isn\u2019t the only factor that should figure into your pricing strategy. When you sell can be just as important as where you\u2019re selling. Selling at a peak time can mean a faster, much more lucrative sale than selling in a slow month. Make sure you speak to your agent about local market dynamics before you hit the market.<\/p>\n Find the Right Agent<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking of your agent, make sure you\u2019re working with someone who can help you accomplish your goals.<\/p>\n Look for an agent who specializes in your neighborhood and has recently sold homes that are similar to yours. A good agent will be able to lay out a detailed plan for how they\u2019re going to sell your home. And don\u2019t be shy about asking for references!<\/p>\n Optimize Light<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cGreat light\u201d is near the top of every home buyer\u2019s list of qualities they\u2019re looking for in a new home, so make sure your home is as bright as possible.<\/p>\n That means removing all obstructive window coverings such as heavy drapes or blinds and making sure all burned-out light bulbs have been replaced. You might also want to consider upgrading your bulbs to a higher wattage \u2014 most experts recommend using the brightest bulb that\u2019s safe.<\/p>\n One last note \u2014 when you\u2019re showing your home, turn on all those bulbs before buyers visit.<\/p>\n Declutter<\/strong><\/p>\n A cluttered home looks crowded, small, and claustrophobic, so you\u2019ll want to declutter as much as possible before you show your home. One good general rule is to remove half your furniture; it will make your home seem brighter, larger, and more open. Don\u2019t hesitate to rent a storage unit if you need somewhere to stow all your extra stuff!<\/p>\n Unfortunately for lazy or last-minute declutterers, you won\u2019t be able to just shove all your clutter into your closets and storage spaces. Buyers definitely check those spaces out, and they can be a big factor in how they feel about your home. Seeing crammed closets won\u2019t make them think that you\u2019re a pack rat; it will make them think your home doesn\u2019t have enough storage space.<\/p>\n Experts suggest you make all your closets and storage spaces organized and, more importantly, half-full, so when buyers peek in, they come away with the impression that you have storage space to spare.<\/p>\n Depersonalize<\/strong><\/p>\n Prospective buyers want to be able to project themselves into your home, and any personal touches you leave in place can make it hard for them to do that.<\/p>\n Create a neutral environment by removing personal items such as family photos, kid\u2019s drawings or toys, and distinctive or unique decorations. Just don\u2019t go too overboard; you want the home to feel impersonal but still warm and lived-in.<\/p>\n Fix Everything<\/strong><\/p>\n Do a once-over through your entire home and note every crooked cupboard handle, loose doorknob, stuck window, and broken closet light. Then fix them all \u2014 hire a handyman, if necessary.<\/p>\n Buyers are very thorough, so no matter how minor something might seem, odds are they\u2019ll find it. And it won\u2019t make a good impression on them.<\/p>\n A Fresh Coat of (Neutral) Paint<\/strong><\/p>\n There\u2019s no easier (and more cost-efficient) way to boost your home\u2019s value and appeal than a new coat of paint. One study found that using the right color can boost your home\u2019s value by as much as $5,000.<\/p>\n A fresh coat of paint makes your home look newer, cleaner, and will cover small imperfections. Although white seems like the obvious choice, try to avoid plain white paint, as it can look harsh and institutional. For buyers, the most appealing colors are neutrals such as beiges and grays (or \u201cgreige\u201d).<\/p>\n Consider Staging Your Home<\/strong><\/p>\n Professional home staging can make your home more appealing to buyers \u2014 but it\u2019s not cheap. Home staging companies will often extensively rearrange your existing belongings and even bring in new furniture, art, and furnishings. The average home staging costs a few hundred dollars a month (and many companies require a minimum time commitment of a few months), but it can boost your final sale price by quite a bit. Ask your agent if your property needs professional staging!<\/p>\n Don\u2019t Forget Curb Appeal<\/strong><\/p>\n The most meticulous decluttering and staging won\u2019t matter if your home doesn\u2019t make a great first impression. Research has shown that buyers make a decision on a home within 7 seconds of first setting eyes on it. (This explains why having a nice front door makes such a huge difference.) So make sure you consider how your home looks to a buyer as they get out of their car and head up your front walk.<\/p>\n That could mean a lot of things \u2014 paying for professional landscaping, pressure washing your home\u2019s siding and sidewalks, putting potted flowers or decorative wreaths on your home, or, yes, getting a new front door.<\/p>\n Take Professional Photos<\/strong><\/p>\n Most home searches begin online, so just as curb appeal determines your home\u2019s first impression in real life, your listing photos determine your home\u2019s first impression online.<\/p>\n It certainly pays to hire a professional real estate photographer to take your listing photos. They know how to present your home in the most flattering light possible, and they\u2019ll be able to produce them in a format that\u2019ll look good in online listings. Experienced photographers may even be able to advise you on staging and other aspects of your home\u2019s presentation.<\/p>\n