Simple Ways to Prepare Your Home for Sale Without Breaking the Bank
By: Alice Robertson
Selling a home comes with a lot of hard work and preparation, and many homeowners aren’t aware of just how much awaits them when they put their house on the market. From making the front yard look inviting to making small repairs and updates, there will likely be a long to-do list, even if your home is relatively young. That’s why it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to tackle these chores and start thinking about the costs you’ll incur.
Fortunately, there are several simple ways you can prepare your home for sale even if you’re on a budget. One great way to get an idea of where to begin is to scour the local real estate market to look at other homes for sale in your area. This will allow you to see what other homeowners have done to brighten up their rooms, add curb appeal, or keep things clean for showings. Additionally, you can also check out the average sale price in your area. Being knowledgeable about your competition is wise, especially since the housing market can fluctuate quickly.
Here are a few more simple things you can do to get your home ready to sell.
Find the Right Agent
The right agent is someone who is familiar with your area since they will be able to tell you what buyers are looking for in your neighborhood. They can also take one look around your home and determine what needs to be done to amp up the appeal, as they’ll be viewing it from a buyer’s perspective. So, talk to your agent about how you can make small changes to each room that will help a potential buyer see themselves living there; for instance, you might remove a few pieces of furniture to help the space look bigger.
Clean It Up
Cleaning and decluttering are a major part of prepping your home for sale, but it’s not always easy to look at your house with an objective eye; after all, you see those rooms every day. Ask your realtor or a friend to walk through your home and look for anything that a potential buyer might see as a distraction. Also, keep depersonalization in mind. Too many family photos, a large book collection, or lots of items on the countertops in the kitchen can all be negatives for buyers. In general, each room needs to be neat and simplified.
Let in the light
Open up the blinds and curtains to let in all the natural light you can. Not only does this make the house look more favorable to buyers, but it also allows you to see dust, dirt, and damage that you might not ordinarily notice. Pets can leave behind hair, scratch marks, stains, and messes near their food bowls, so check for those things first. If the weather is nice, open the windows as well, since fresh air can only help out a home that has been closed up for a while.
There are many ways you can prep your home for sale without breaking the bank, but every home is different, so it’s important to get a feel for what needs to be done. Make a list of each item you want to tackle, and be open to suggestions from your real estate agent. The more you can do to make your home appealing and inviting, the quicker you’ll get a sale.
