The Stanbra Home Team is here to help you prepare your home for sale.
Even in a seller’s market, there are standards for making your home desirable to buyers. Preparing your home for sale does not have to be a stress-inducing event. It is mostly a matter of making a clear plan and checking items off your list as you go. Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to undertake major room renovation projects. If you are considering listing your home for sale, read on!
Get organized!
Before meeting with your REALTOR®, have pertinent documentation at-hand. Gather your homeowner’s association or condo documents, mortgage payoff information, deed, and title policy. Further impress potential buyers by having contact information for vendors that you use to maintain your home and property. Handyman, HVAC company, pool service, landscaping company, pest control, and any other vendor that you commonly call on for service.
Identify potential issues and address them now.
One way to identify potential issues is by conducting a pre-listing inspection for your home. This is not a full-blown inspection, but rather a high-level overview of your major components such as your roof, HVAC, plumbing and electrical. Addressing possible issues will eliminate surprises during the buyer’s full-scale home inspection.
Make your home show-ready.
For some homeowners, this may seem a bit overwhelming. You may be thinking, “Where do I even get started?” Below are a few quick tips that will not cost you anything but some time and elbow grease.
Declutter and get organized.
Declutter everywhere. Even if you have only lived in your home for a few years, things pile up quickly. Clean and organize closets, linens, cabinets, and the pantry. Do the same for your refrigerator – empty it, clean it, and organize it. Do not put spill-over clutter into your garage – that needs to be organized too! This includes toys and pet items. Pack unnecessary toys down to the bare minimum. If this seems impossible, try asking the kids to help! Ask them to choose a few toys to keep, a few to donate, and a few to put into storage with other sentimental items. This will also help streamline your move-in at your new home.
Clean, clean, clean!
After decluttering, give your home a deep cleaning. Do not overlook areas, like baseboards and ceiling fan blades! Sellers will scrutinize every part of your home. If the thought of this type of cleaning stresses you out, you can call in a professional service, which specializes in this type of cleaning.
Put yourself in buyers’ shoes.
If you walked into a home for sale, you might find that you are unable to see yourself living there if the family’s personal photos adorn every wall. Personal effects tend to make potential buyers feel like they are simply visiting a neighbor’s home. Take sentimentality out of the equation and nix the family portraits – yes, even professional photos. They might be beautiful, but they can detract from the buyer’s experience.
Keep your home ready to show.
Preparing for a scheduled open house right after your decluttering, cleaning, and small improvements is easy. What many homeowners find more difficult is the pop-up showing. Once your home is clean, create a plan for keeping it that way for short-notice showings. Be sure to put dirty dishes into the dishwasher, or handwash them immediately after use. Keep laundry done. Schedule a 30-minute daily run-through to wipe up countertops, swipe dirty mirrors, and vacuum or sweep. Give special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms and be sure to keep pet areas outside free of waste.
Sell your home in the Palm Beaches area with the The Stanbra Home Team, your winning real estate team in Jupiter, the Palm Beaches, and Treasure Coast Florida.
Are you ready to sell your home in the Palm Beaches area? Trust The Stanbra Home Team, Jupiter and Palm Beach Garden Realtors. Call us at (561) 468-3532 or click here to schedule an appointment.
