As property values have increased, many people have opted to take the opportunity to sell their homes. In the last few years, homes were selling so fast, and the available inventory was so dismal that it was challenging to purchase a home—especially one that fit all the buyer's wants and needs. However, as the home values continued to trend upwards, more and more people have chosen to sell. With more homes on the market, buyers can be choosier and look for the perfect home. This change is great news for buyers, but it does mean that you must ensure your home is in great shape as a seller. If you are considering listing your home, it is a good idea to prepare it to stand out from the rest of the houses in your area. Not only will this help you sell fast, but it may even cause potential buyers to offer more than your asking price. Look at some of our favorite tips and tricks to sell your home lightning fast.
Tip #1: Make Any Needed Repairs
It is crucial to take inventory of any damaged areas of the home or any possible issues that could arise during a home inspection. While a few minor problems may not cause any setbacks during the home sale, too many issues, or any significant problems, could cause a buyer to back out of the sale. Some buyers will have the capital to make repairs themselves, but most potential homeowners are looking for a move-in-ready home where they will not need to spend much money and time getting it fixed up. Some homeowners will have a home inspection before listing, so they will not face any surprises and can get a headstart on repairs. Here are a few of the areas you should inspect and repair before putting your home on the market:
- Ensure the HVAC system is in good working order.
- Have your septic system serviced and checked.
- Make sure your electrical system is up to code with no problems.
- Check the roof and gutter for any potential issues.
- Inspect and repair any damage to walls, floors, and doors.
- Repair any rotting or weak areas to the siding of the home.
- Repair any damaged areas of the driveway or walkways.
- Repair or replace any appliances experiencing issues.
Tip #2: Remove Clutter and Unnecessary Items from The Home
While most homes have clutter and appear lived-in, an overly cluttered home can cause issues for potential homebuyers. It is difficult for most people to see past the clutter and see what the home can offer. We recommend taking the time before listing your home to declutter and get rid of things you no longer use or need. You can host a moving sale or donate your items to a local organization. Another option is to use a mobile storage unit to keep your things safe until you are ready to move to your new home.
Tip #3: Repaint the Walls a Neutral Color
Repainting the walls a neutral color will help create a blank canvas for potential buyers. In addition, this allows people to envision themselves in the home. We have all seen an episode of a house hunting type show where the house seems perfect, but they hated the paint color. We know that it is easy enough to paint the walls whatever color we want, but it creates a mental barrier for people who are getting ready to make what is probably, the most significant investment of their life. So, while you may enjoy eclectic and mixed colors or patterns in the home—take down any wallpaper, and paint over the walls with a neutral color.
Tip #4: Deep Clean the Entire Home
Once you have decluttered and made all necessary repairs, you should deep clean the home. Some people prefer to hire a cleaning service to make sure every inch of the house has been dusted, scrubbed, and cleaned up. If you choose to clean the home yourself, pay attention to areas that don't typically get cleaned. Here are some of the places you should make sure get cleaned:
- Clean and polish all appliances.
- Wash windows and windowsills.
- Scrub baseboards and wipe down doors.
- Clean the cabinets inside and out. Use a degreaser on kitchen cabinets near the stove.
- Clean out fridges, freezers, and pantries.
- Wipe down ceilings, walls, ceiling fans, and light fixtures for dust and cobwebs.
- Scrub and sanitize sinks, toilets, showers, and bathtubs.
- Organize and clean out the garage
- Mop all hardwoods, tile, or linoleum floors. Shampoo or steam clean carpets.
- Spot clean any fingerprints on light switches.
Tip #5: Beautify the Yard
The yard is one of the first things potential buyers will see when they arrive at your home. So it's essential to make sure they get a good first impression. You don’t have to hire a landscaping company to revamp your entire yard completely, but you need to clean it up and prepare it for pictures and showings.
- Mow the grass.
- Edge around walkways, driveway, and the road.
- Remove all weeds.
- Clean up flower beds and lay out new mulch or pine straw.
- Pressure wash the driveway and walkways.
- Dispose of all debris like leaves, clippings, sticks, and branches.
Tip #6: Hire A Reputable Real Estate Agent
Once you have completed all repairs, upgrades, and cleaned the home inside and out, it's time to stage the house and take pictures. When potential buyers browse sites like Zillow and Redfin, they tend to focus on homes with photos and plentiful information. An excellent real estate agent will help you ensure your home is listed with the best pictures and information that is appealing to buyers. Ask around your local community for recommendations regarding a reputable and professional real estate agent.
Zippy Shell Can Help You Make Your Move Easy and Stress-free
We hope these tips help as you get ready to list your home on the market! Selling your home can be stressful, so let Zippy Shell remove the stress from your move. We offer storage and moving solutions for practically every scenario. If you need to remove clutter from your home before the showings, we can help with that. We can deliver a mobile storage container to your home, you can pack it at your pace, and then we will transport it to one of our secure storage facilities until you are ready to have it delivered to your new home. Then, when you are prepared to move, skip the moving truck and utilize our mobile storage units for an easy and smooth move. We are standing by to answer all your questions and to provide a free, no-obligation estimate. We look forward to hearing from you!