10 Things to do Before you List your Home

  1. Hire an Agent- If you want your home to have the best chance of selling quickly and for top dollar, then absolutely hire an agent. They will be able to guide you through the entire home selling process, negotiate on your behalf, and give your home proper exposure and marketing. Interview several agents if needed and get a good understanding of their process and marketing plan so you know what to expect.
  2. Declutter & Depersonalize- I like to tell my clients if you don’t need it to sit, sleep, or eat on, then pack it up! This includes decorations, pictures, and any other personal affects you may have hanging on the walls or displayed. You want buyers to be able envision their family and personal style in the home. Consider renting a storage unit to store these extra items if you don’t have room in your home.
  3. Deep Clean- Do a major deep clean of your home. Be sure to get all cobwebs, ceiling fans, and baseboards. Have a “Spring Cleaning” mindset and wipe down doors, windows, and places you don’t normally clean as well. Hire a professional if needed!
  4. Clean Carpets- Having your carpets and rugs professionally cleaned is an essential task unless you have new flooring or all hard flooring installed. Carpets can harbor dirt, stains, pet hair, and smells. Having them professionally cleaned will refresh the carpet and give that new carpet feel for a fraction of the costs!
  5. Closets & Drawers- Clean out any closets and drawers in the home. Buyers will open every door and drawer to ensure you show off any storage your house has. A general rule of thumb is to only have your closets, drawers, and cabinets 70% full to give the effect of ample storage space.
  6. Consult with Stager- A consultation with a professional stager is usually either covered by your agent or around $200-$300. They will tell you what needs to be done in order to show your home in the best light.
  7. Hide Valuables- Keep any prescriptions, valuable jewelry, firearms, or sentimental valuables out of sight and in a safe if possible.
  8. Landscaping- Make sure your lawn is tidy, weeds are pulled, and the general outside appearance of your home is clean.
  9. Light Bulbs- Change out lightbulbs that are burnt out and any yellow lights to a daylight bulb.
  10. Backup Plan- Have an exit plan for when showings are scheduled. The more accessible your home is, the more buyers you’ll be able to get in the door and the quicker you will be able to sell. Have a back up plan for the kids, pets, and other family members to where on 30 minutes notice you can touch up the house such as bathrooms, kid’s toys, turning on all lights, and head out for showings.

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