Prepping Your Home For Sale

Prepping Your Home For Sale

You’ve decided to move on, up or down but move you must. You’re staring at your knick knacks and chotchkies, thinking, “oh good grief, what am I going to do with all these things?” Never fear, Amy is here to guide you through the process of home prepping to sell for the most profit that you can possibly achieve and maximize efficiency for your eventual move out, post sale. Hopefully you have at least three to six months to prepare, but it can be done even at the last minute if you follow my steps carefully. 

The Home Selling Process / Getting Ready To List:

Your Realtor does not determine what your home is worth, the market does that all by itself. There are several factors that affect the value in any given current market, here are a few.

• Price: Proper pricing determines how long it will take to sell your home.

• Location: Location is the single most important factor in valuation of your property.

• Condition: How much work does the home need? This greatly affects your price. 

• Competition: What’s for sale in your area?

• Timing: What is the current market looking like?

Preparing Your Home For Sale:

Interior:

• Remove excess wall hangings, furniture and knick knacks.

• Clean or paint walls and ceilings.

• Shampoo carpets

• Clean and organize cabinets and closets.

• Repair all plumbing leaks, including faucets and drain traps.

• Clean all light fixtures.

• Clear off all countertops as much as possible.

Exterior:

• Keep Lawn mowed.

• Remove lawn clutter.

• Apply fresh paint to fences.

• Weed and mulch garden beds.

• Clean all windows.

• Pressure wash.

• Tighten all door handles.

• Clean gutters and demoss roof.

Preparing Your Home For Professional Photos:

Now that you’ve made the decision to list your home, it’s time to get it listed on the MLS and other social media sites. First impressions are everything! We only get one chance to draw buyers in to view your home, so let’s do everything we can to create interest. 

The Amy Group has a professional photographer that will take pictures of your home, highlighting the main rooms. We find it’s better to not offer too many shots, just enough to spark interest but not too many to make them feel like they’ve already viewed the home. Here are a few tips to prepare:

• Clean like it’s Spring! Clear all clutter by going through your things and get rid of whatever you don’t use. Less clutter gives the appearance of a larger home.

• If you’re not using it now, pack it up. You may want to rent a storage unit or POD, or neatly stack them in a corner of the garage. 

• Clear off countertops. It gives the illusion of more space.

• Hide all traces of your pets. You love them, but hints of pets in photos can deter potential buyers. This includes dishes and bedding.

• Vacuum, sweep, and mop floors.

• Make your beds and pick up laundry/clutter.

• Try to hold off putting up seasonal decor until after photos are taken, as it might date your photos.

• Trim your grass and pull those weeds. Good curb appeal draws people in.

• Repair drywall and paint. Touch up scuffed walls and wipe down doors. Magic erasers are your friend!

• Polish up your stainless steel appliances. Wipe down all appliances. Scrub sinks and tubs.

• Remove unnecessary furniture. Proper placement can make any room appear larger. 

• Move all vehicles out of the driveway. 

Marketing And Showing Your Home:

Our marketing plan is designed to capture the most exposure for your home in the shortest period of time. Our team begins it’s strategy as soon as you’ve hired us and we will let out teaser promotions at least a week before listing. The day you list is also strategically designed to sell fast and at maximum price. Without giving away “the sauce”, if you are a potential client, we will explain our marketing plan with you. If your Realtor cannot answer how they’re going to market your home, you should keep looking. 

You’re now listed, and you’re expecting showings from buyers. Here’s a few tips to keep up your home for showings during listing. You will need to tell your Realtor what times of the day work for you and how much notice you’ll need in advance before shows to vacate the home.

• Turn on all lights.

• Open drapes in the daytime.

• Keep pets secured outdoors or take them with you. 

• Play quiet background music, and infuse the home with a comforting scent like vanilla or apple spice.

• Light the fireplace (if seasonally appropriate)

• Tidy up the house.

If you follow these tips, your home should sell quickly and for top dollar. Follow The Amy Group for more tips on buying and selling homes.