Making the decision to sell your home can be a long and arduous process. But once the decision is made, what can be done to prepare your home for a quick sale?
Hire A Qualified & Professional Real Estate Agent
The first thing you’ll need to get ready for a quick sale is a real estate agent with the knowledge and experience to market your home in the best way possible. Interview two or three agents and discuss how they will market your home and the services they offer. Consider the commission structure and what that means for your bottom line. Then when you’re comfortable, sign a listing agreement to get the ball rolling.
Price The Home
Your real estate professional will show you the comparable properties in your neighborhood. They’ll tell you what they were listed for, what they sold for and how they compare to your home in terms of age, condition, features, location etc. Discuss why your home should be priced higher or lower than the comparable properties and make sure your agent understands your motivation for selling. It’s important to remember your agent has the duty of confidentiality to you. The reason you’re selling has
the potential to impact the offers you receive so the duty of confidentiality means your agent can’t discuss your reasons for selling with other realtors.
Declutter
Declutter your home by putting away the family pictures, knick-knacks, toys and pet paraphernalia. You want potential buyers to see the home as Their home, and depersonalizing it makes this easier for them to envision. It also makes the home appear larger with more space if not every inch is filled with your belongings.
Clean
People can often overlook strange paint colors or wall coverings, but if the home is not clean, you’ll lose buyers. An unclean home can imply a lack of maintenance which turns off buyers who are unsure if the home is being properly looked after. If there are stains on the carpet or you have pets, get the carpets professionally cleaned to look their best and remove any odours. Ductwork and furnaces can also be cleaned to remove odours and allergens at a reasonable cost.
Yard Maintenance
Curb appeal is important since the potential buyers first impression will be the one they get when they pull up out front. Make sure the lawn is cut, weeds are pulled, dead flowers or plants are removed and the exterior of the home is clean. Tidy up the backyard as well since most buyers will look at this while touring the home. If you have pets, make sure any waste is picked up and removed from the property. If it’s winter, make sure the sidewalks and driveway are clear of snow and ice. The last thing you want is for someone to slip and fall!
Packing
Since you already know you’re going to be moving, start packing any non-essential items as soon as possible. This helps with the decluttering process and since you’ll need to pack it all at some point, why not get an early start. Stack the packed boxes in one room or the garage. Buyers will understand you’re getting ready to move out, so as long as the boxes are stacked neatly in one area of the home, it won’t be a problem. If you’re ready to sell your home, contact One Flat Fee and speak with our professional team of
well qualified agents.
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