Every real estate transaction is different; some are easy-peasy while others are more complicated. All sellers have one thing in common, though. They want their homes to sell for top dollar and as soon as possible. If you’ve decided to sell your house, there are some things you’ll need to address before you put it on the market.

✓ Look at each room objectively. What negative aspects stick out most? Which positive features should be highlighted?

✓ Remove personal decorations. Buyers don’t want to see a single trace of you in what could very well be their new home. Pack up family photos, kids’ toys and artwork, and signs of pets. Try to create as much of a blank slate as you can for potential buyers.

✓ Hire a home inspector. Put yourself a step ahead of prospective buyers (and other sellers!) by going ahead and providing them with a home inspection report. Once you have your home inspected, you’ll know the major pitfalls that need fixing. You can go ahead and make the repairs or wait and see which repairs the buyer asks you to make in their offer.

✓ Clean everything thoroughly. This should be a given, but you’d be surprised at how many homes our agents have shown that were in dire need of a good cleaning.

✓ Replace outdated fixtures. This can be done easily and inexpensively. Switching out dated fixtures can give the room the facelift you didn’t realize it needed. Whether you need lighting fixtures, bathroom faucets, or new cabinet hardware for the kitchen, you can almost always find a perfect neutral and inexpensive option at your local hardware store.

✓ Shampoo or replace carpets. Dirty or stained flooring is a big turnoff for buyers. If you need to replace the carpets, do so before showings begin. If not, give them a good shampooing or steam cleaning, even if you don’t think they’re that dirty.

✓ Touch up and/or repaint. We’ve said this before, but it still rings true: painting is the easiest way to update a home. You never realize how tired and dull old paint can look until you freshen it up! Bonus tip: paint makes a home smell new, and people love new.

✓ Get a storage unit. Vacant homes are easier to show. It’s also easier for the buyer to imagine their belongings in a blank space. If you can manage to vacate the home before it goes on the market, great! If not, consider renting a storage unit to store as many of your personal items as possible while you try to sell your home.

✓ Freshen up landscaping. Curb appeal is everything. The exterior is a buyer’s first impression of your home. Make it a good one! At the bare minimum, make sure to stay on top of yard work and pressure wash the house and driveway/sidewalks. If you’re feeling a little more ambitious, plant some colorful flowers, repaint the house’s exterior, hang a beautiful wreath, and put out a new welcome mat.

✓ Get specific advice from a Realtor®. You’re going to want to interview a few different real estate agents to make sure you’ll be working with the best. It’s important to find someone who you get along with well and who knows the real estate business inside and out. Give us a call today to speak with one of our agents—they’re experts at providing boutique service to all clients!