When you’re trying to sell your house, there are a million things to consider. You have to figure out where you’re moving to, you have to worry about packing, and you may have to arrange for things like a new job or new schools. But most of all, you have to figure out how to get your house ready to sell.
There are several things to do before selling your house that can help to increase its value. Read on to get your to-do list before you list your house.
Up Your Curb Appeal
One of the first things you should do when you get ready to sell your house is work on upping your curb appeal. As much as we’ve all heard that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, we absolutely still do that. And if the front of your house looks like a mess, buyers aren’t going to want to pay as much for it.
Start by clearing any junk out of the front of your yard and tossing any worn-out lawn furniture or ornaments. Plant some colorful flowers that will last for a little while and put out a cute new welcome mat. You may also want to repaint your front door and any shutters you have.
Tidy Up
The inside appearance of your house is as important as its curb appeal. Having clutter around your house can be like having lettuce stuck in your teeth; no matter how beautiful the rest is, that’s all people will be able to see. No one’s going to notice your hardwood floors if they’re covered in kids’ toys and clothes.
Tidy up the main living areas of your house as much as possible. If you’re moving, you may want to get rid of some of the clutter anyway, so consider having a garage sale before you put your house on the market. And once the house is tidied up, give it a good scrubbing to get rid of dirt, dust, and pet hair.
Depersonalize
When you’re showing potential buyers your house, you want them to be able to picture themselves living there. And it’s harder for them to do that if your family photos are on the walls and your kids’ art is on the fridge. So when you start packing, make the pictures the first thing you put in boxes.
It’s also a good idea to repaint the inside of your house a nice, neutral color before you list it for sale. The goal is to create a blank slate that people can project their futures onto, and while you might love that purple room, they might not. Go for a gentle grey, a nice beige, or another neutral tone that will help potential buyers feel at home.
Touch Up Scuffs
After you get past the major initial parts of preparing a house for sale, the devil is in the details. You want potential buyers to view your home as clean, high-quality, and beautiful. And while you might not even notice that scuff mark in the hall anymore, it will seem shabby to buyers.
If you’re repainting, you may not need to worry about this, but if you aren’t, take the time to touch up the flaws. Fix scratched or damaged baseboards, repair scuffs on the floor, and take down or paint over your growth chart. Making small repairs like this won’t take more than an afternoon and will make your house seem much more well-cared-for.
Fix the Little Stuff
Once you’ve gotten the scuffs touched up, it’s time to move on to making small repairs. When potential buyers see your house, they want to see something they can move into and love. They don’t want to see a laundry list of tiny projects they’ll have to complete before they can move in.
If there are any jiggly or broken knobs in your house, fix or replace them. Replace any burned-out or missing lightbulbs, and get any outlets that don’t work repaired. These tiny measures will make potential buyers much more likely to put in an offer at a good price.
Add Some Plants
If you’re thinking your home may look a little drab with gray walls and no pictures, there’s a great way to add liveliness: plants. Having some greenery in a space makes it feel welcoming and loved. Seeing a plant that’s thriving will help potential buyers imagine themselves thriving there, too.
If you don’t already have houseplants, buy a couple of simple potted plants and place them around the house. You might even want to get a bouquet of flowers for the kitchen table and a bowl of fruit for the counter. This will add color and make your house feel like somewhere the prospective buyers could settle in and be happy.
Do a Smell Test
When you’ve lived in your house for so long, it can be difficult to notice all the odors that linger. You may have a dog or cat smell, or your house might hang onto the scent of that popcorn you burned a while back. But while you may not notice these odors anymore, your buyers certainly will.
Ask a friend or neighbor to come by and give your house a smell test. If they identify any noticeable odors, do what you can to remedy them before buyers come in. Spray air freshener, shampoo carpets, wash furniture covers, and put a mild scented plugin in before buyers come over.
Discover More Things to Do Before Selling Your House
When you’re trying to sell a home, the key is to make it seem as welcoming to potential buyers as possible. Do some cleaning and basic repairs, and bring in some greenery. You’ll be surprised how many more offers you get on your house just from knowing these things to do before selling your house.
If you’d like to sell your home quickly, get in touch with us at Bonnie Buys Houses Fast. We’ll buy your house as-is on the date that you choose so you can get cash when you need it most. Start the process of selling your house today and skip the hassle!
