The real estate market can be quite competitive, and how you present your house to potential buyers can influence how fast you sell the house and its sale price.
Home sellers should prepare their homes for sale to stand out in the housing market. Preparation ranges from cleaning, decluttering, staging, taking photographs, repairing etc.
Below are crucial steps for preparing your home for sale.
Decluttering makes it easy to clean and stage the house. It makes the house seem spacious and airy. Furthermore, it makes it easier to move out of the house.
Sort through your items and remove any that you no longer use. You can throw them away, donate, or sell them. Also, identify any items that you need but do not work well for the staging of the house.
Do not stash them away in your closets or cabinets. Interested buyers will want to check the storage space in your house, and if they find clutter in the cabinets and closets, it can put them off. Instead, move the items to your new house or a storage unit.
Deep cleaning is one of the most important steps for getting your house ready for sale. Make sure that each and every part of the house is clean, from the hardwood floors, kitchen countertops, toilet, bathroom, and cabinets to the window panels.
Take out trash and ensure it is disposed of appropriately. You may do the cleaning yourself or hire a professional cleaning company.
Remove your personal items such as family photos, political and religious memorabilia, paintings and art pieces specific to your style, keepsake items and souvenirs. If the house interior has a distinctive personal design, remove the personal touches.
For instance, if you had painted an accent wall in the living room, or installed bold wallpapers, remove them and paint the house a neutral color such as white or grey.
The home exterior makes the first impression on prospective buyers. Therefore, take measures to improve its curb appeal. Here are some great tips:
Although it is not legally required, it is a good idea to commission an inspection before putting the house up for sale.
The home inspection will reveal any house issues that need repairs. If you opt not to do the repairs, you are legally obligated to reveal them to potential buyers in most states.
Use the home inspection report to assess whether you need major or minor repairs.
You can do minor repairs at a minimal cost, e.g., replacing a broken faucet, changing a burnt bulb or hiring a handyman for slightly more complex repairs such as cracks in the wall, running toilet, squeaky doors, etc.
Major repairs can be costly and time-consuming. However, if left unattended, the issues could get worse. Selling the house as is with these issues can significantly compromise its value. It also reduces your pool of potential buyers.
Assess both options to decide what works for you. If you need to sell fast or do not have a budget for the repairs, sell the house to a cash buyer such as a real estate investor and flipper.
However, if you can afford it, repair the house and leverage on the major improvements to boost the house’s value and attract potential buyers. For instance, if you undertake a roof replacement, highlight that the house has a new roof with a long-term warranty.
You do not have to break the bank with the upgrades. It could be as simple as applying fresh paint on the walls or replacing old light fixtures and faucets.
Assess the real estate market in your area to determine which upgrades would be affordable yet increase your home value.
Keep in mind that not all upgrades have a significant return on investment towards the sale of the house. Also, major renovations can take months.
Therefore, if you want to sell the house fast, go for minimal and essential improvements and additions.
According to the National Association of Realtors 2021 report, 82% of home buyer agents said that staging the house made it easier for home buyers to visualize themselves in the house.
The report further pointed out that 46% of the respondents said that the living room was the most important room to stage, followed closely by the master bedroom and then the kitchen.
Furthermore, staging can positively impact the perceived value of the home. It also encourages prospective buyers to walk around the house. When done correctly, it can
cause potential buyers to overlook minor faults with the property.
Staging mainly involves arranging the furniture and other décor elements to visually appeal to potential buyers and depict the house’s functionality. Check out trending real trends in your area for inspiration and guidance on how to stage your house.
You can use your own furniture and items or rent them out. You could do the staging yourself or hire a professional stager. Some opt to show a vacant house where no or minimal staging is required. However, ensure that the house is clean.
You do not have to break the bank with the upgrades. It could be as simple as applying fresh paint on the walls or replacing old light fixtures and faucets.
Assess the real estate market in your area to determine which upgrades would be affordable yet increase your home value.
Keep in mind that not all upgrades have a significant return on investment towards the sale of the house. Also, major renovations can take months.
Therefore, if you want to sell the house fast, go for minimal and essential improvements and additions.
A real estate agent will take up the nitty-gritty of selling the house in exchange for a 3-6% commission on the sale. They will oversee everything from preparing the house, taking photos, listing, open house and showing, negotiating with interested buyers, and closing.
If you are selling the house yourself, hire a professional photographer to take photos for your listing. However, if you are working with a real estate agent, they are responsible for taking photos and listing the house.
You can schedule an open house on specific dates or keep the house open for showing to prospective buyers throughout the sale period.
In both scenarios, create a marketing buzz about the sale to attract as many potential buyers as possible. That way, you get multiple offers, and you can vet them to establish the best buyer. If you are working with a listing agent, allow them to oversee the showing and present the house in the best light.
Ultimately, the house should be cleaned, decluttered, and well-staged at the time of showing.
Getting your house ready for sale takes a little work but can greatly improve your prospects for selling fast and within or slightly above the fair market value.
It does not have to be complicated. You do not have to do high-end upgrades before selling the house. Simple things such as decluttering, deep cleaning, staging, and taking professional photographs can help your house stand out in the market.
However, if, for one reason or the other, you do not want to go through the hassle of getting your house ready for sale, you can sell as-is to a cash buyer in your area. In Denver, contact webuyhousesindenver.org to sell your house as is without staging. Also, we buy apartments for cash. Sell your house fast for cash now!
Key Takeaways: Selling your house for cash is possible with the right buyer, and WeBuyHousesInDenver.org can help you find a cash buyer quickly and hassle-free.
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