The decision to put your home on the market is always a big one. However, it can be exciting to prepare your home for sale. With big changes ahead, there are many ways you can get your house up to speed before listing day. In a global pandemic with a booming real estate market, you’ll be glad that you did. For a few things that you’ll want to take care of before selling your home, read on.
Upgrades and Repairs
One of the first things to do when planning to sell your home is to hire a licensed contractor who specializes in HVAC systems and system repair to check on your major cooling and heating systems. While some homeowners might be tempted to repair faulty air conditioning or a furnace on their own, most realtors can tell you why DIY HVAC repairs are a terrible idea. The truth is that your home is likely your biggest investment. If you hope to get top dollar for your property, it’s worth spending the money to be sure your plumbing, compressor, and even appliances are in good working condition before you put your home on the market.
If you aren’t sure whether or not you need to make repairs and upgrades to things like thermostats, contact a real estate agent. They can look around y our home and make suggestions before you even contract with them to sell your home.
Hiring Realtors
While it’s possible to sell your home on your own, many people are more comfortable hiring a real estate agent to take care of this often complicated process. To be sure you’re in the right hands, you’ll want to search for a real estate broker in your general area. If you live in California, for example, looking for a realtor in Oakland, CA is a great way to get a list of names. Start by reading reviews and following up with phone calls and appointments. It’s important that you feel comfortable with the agent who’ll be working for you and it’s okay to shop around for the right person. Your home and your peace of mind are worth it.
Staging Your Home
Whether you choose to hire an agent or plan to sell your home on your own, you’ll need to think about how to show it off. The process of preparing a home for sale is called staging. If you’re someone with a lot of clutter or sentimental items, one way to stage a home is to put your personal belongings in storage. Buyers like to attend an open house and be able to picture the home as their own. For this reason, you’ll want to remove personal belongings and create a cleaner template that could work for anyone. Consider repainting your home in neutral colors, keeping the clutter down, and investing in a few pieces of focal point art to highlight the strengths of your home.
At the end of the day, putting time, effort, and money into your home before listing it is a great way to ensure a higher selling price. The reality is that homes that are ready for move-in day sell the fastest and at the best rates. If you’re like most people, you love your home and will one day miss it. No matter how frustrated you get or whether you live in the U.S. or another country, keeping in mind that bringing your home up to speed for the buyer will add up to a win for all. Best of luck to you as you prepare your home for sale. Enjoy this last adventure before the next begins.