Prepare Your Home for Sale

Whether the real estate that is for sale is a primary residence or one that has been used as an actual investment to generate positive cash flow, there are some steps that should be taken before the house is ready to show in the local real estate market. While the real estate can be prepared to whatever extent the current homeowner wishes, better prepping will often lead to faster home sales for more money.

While home improvements are an important part of any real estate sale, it is not recommended that the homeowner mortgage the house in order to fix it up and sell it. Basic improvements in the appearance of the real estate are always a good idea however.

1. Repair All Defects
If there are any defects in the home or problems that may prevent a sale, they should also be repaired before listing the house with a realtor. Any problems that may be considered major will often prevent the home from being sold at all. If there are leaks under the home or in buried plumbing that may not be immediately seen by a potential homebuyer, they should still be repaired. Many states have lemon laws for homes similar to those for used cars. If problems are discovered, the financial burdens will be placed on the seller, not the purchaser of the home.

2. Curb Appeal
The home should be aesthetically appealing to the buyer in order to better facilitate a rapid sale of the real estate in question. While it may not be necessary to hire a landscaping crew to fully manicure every inch of the lawn, care should be taken that the outer appearance of the home is pleasing to the eyes. Broken windows, missing shingles and anything else which distracts from the beauty of the property for sale will result in many less offers at much lower prices for the home.

3. Make Your House Shine
Make certain that your house is cleaner, fresher and better maintained than other houses on the market, so that it stands out from the competition. Clean carpets, appliances and an overall appearance of neatness will give the buyer a higher level of confidence that the home has been properly maintained and cared for. This will not leave the buyer to wonder what else may be wrong with the house and dissuade them from wanting to purchase it.

4. Consider a Fresh Coat of Paint
If your home has not been painted in a while, consider freshening up your walls with a fresh coat. Ideas such as painting your home a neutral color may allow the buyer to more easily envision themselves living in your home. A lighter color can also help to brighten up your home as well as add the look/feel of a larger space.

5. Make the House Light and Bright
Before showing your home, open window coverings, such as blinds, curtains, drapes and shutters, to let in maximum sunlight. Turn on lights.

6. Make the House Smell Good
Air out the house to get rid pet and cooking odors. Light candles or bake cookies to make the house smell yummy just before the buyers arrive. (Make sure you turn off the oven and blow out the candles before you leave!)

7. Set the Thermostat to a Comfortable Temperature
When showing your home, make certain the house is not too hot or too cold. A home that is too hot or too cold can make for a bad experience and the protential buyer may leave prematurely.

8. Keep Pets Out-of-Sight
Make arrangements for your pets while your house is beening shown even if that means simply placing them outdoors. If your pet must stay at home, put them in a particular room and shut the door. Make sure the agent knows where the animals are.

9. Remove Your Imprint
It is acceptable to have a few personal pictures around the house. However, if your home is a shrine of your loved ones, take steps to depersonalize it. Buyers must be able to envision themselves in the house, which is impossible if everywhere they turn they are staring at you.

10. Get Rid of Clutter
If an item is not necessary for your everyday life, then store, sell, donate or toss it. Have a garage/yard sale before you list your home. This will encourage you to go through and get rid of all the things you don’t need. If curio cabinets, shelves and tables are overflowing with books and knick-knacks, remove some of them.

The two most important factors in home preparation before selling any piece of real estate are functionality and aesthetics. The home must be safe, secure and appealing to the homebuyer if it is ever to be sold. The more appealing it is, and the more comfortable people are there, the quicker it will sell ... and for a much better price.