Selling a home can get overwhelming — there are so many things to think about and consider. If you are thinking about selling, here are the first steps to getting your home ready to list. Next month my article will be The Top 5 Things to Do to Get the Highest Price.
HOW MUCH IS MY HOME WORTH?
This is usually the first step to take if you are considering selling your home. You may want to jump on Zillow or other real estate sites, but these have become even more inaccurate lately due to the sudden change in the market over the past six months.
I have seen huge differences in the home value these sites estimate compared to the true home value — as big as $100,000 on one home and it was undervalued not overvalued. Because of the change in our market, it is more important than ever to get a true market value from an experienced local Realtor.
If you would like an accurate home value before you meet with any Realtors, you can go to InstantHomeValueAZ.com which takes you to my website. I will personally do the Market Analysis on your home and send the report to you right away.
CURB APPEAL — THE FIRST IMPRESSION IS THE ONLY IMPRESSION
No matter how good the interior of your home looks, buyers have already judged your home before they walk through the door. You never have a second chance to make a first impression. It is important to make people feel warm and welcome as they approach the house.
Spruce up your home’s exterior with inexpensive shrubs and brightly colored flowers. You can typically get a 100 percent return on the money you put into your home’s curb appeal.
GETTING YOUR HOME ORGANIZED
Buyers want as much space as they can afford, whether it’s living space or storage space. Decluttering opens your home and will make it look and feel more spacious. A well-organized home lets the buyer see the space it has to offer without trying to look past all the clutter.
Go through your home room by room and try to see it for the first time through the buyer’s eyes. Does the room feel open and spacious or is it cluttered with knick-knacks and cramped with too much or too big furniture? Taking a large chair out of a small room can change the entire feel of the room and open it up. Taking all the knick-knacks off the mantel will draw the buyer’s eye to the decorative stonework around the fireplace rather than to the knickknacks on top.
The kitchen is the best room to declutter, as this is one of the top rooms that make the buying decision. You want to show off how much workspace there is and how much storage it has. Clear off the countertop and put away any small appliances, cooking utensils, oils, etc. Pack away at least a third of what you have in the cabinets and drawers. Go through your pantry and pack away any non-perishable goods you won’t use in the next few months. Neatly stack what is left and turn all the labels facing out. Trust me, buyers will open cupboard doors and drawers to see inside, especially in the kitchen.
Bathrooms are also one of the top rooms that buyers focus on when making their decision. Take everything off the counters and store neatly underneath. Clear all the items in the shower leaving only what you need to use every day. Have nice color-coordinated towels neatly folded on the towel rails.
PAINT, CLEAN, AND REPAIR
I think the best money spent is on a deep cleaning, repair of small items, and fresh paint if needed. Just cleaning and changing the color can really transform a home from a dated, dark, or unkept house to a warm and inviting home. A deep clean will get the baseboards, door handles, light switches, fans, and all the little areas you may not have noticed clean and bright. Have a handyman come out to do minor repairs and cosmetic touch-ups.
SHOULD YOU DO ANY UPGRADES BEFORE YOU LIST YOUR HOME?
This is one of the top questions I am asked when I meet the homeowner for the first time and the answer depends on so many factors. For example, how quickly do you want to sell? Do you want a fair price for your home or the highest price you can get?
We will discuss what upgrades give you the best bang for your buck and can recoup the investment from the sale. For example, kitchen and bathroom remodels should get you a 100 percent return on your investment if they are done correctly.
Sometimes upgrades are not the way to go but freshening the home up with new paint, changing out some old light fixtures, and staging the home can make all the difference. Having a free market analysis of your home will answer these and many more questions.
If you are thinking of selling and want to know how much your home is worth, whether you should do any upgrades, or need help staging your home, please contact me directly to set up a free no obligation consultation or visit InstantHomeValueAZ.com
Lorraine is a Multi-Million Dollar producing agent, has been a full-time Realtor for over 13 years, is an Associate Broker of KOR Properties, a Certified Negotiation Specialist, and is on the Professional Standards Board. You can reach Lorraine at (602) 571-6799.