If you are getting ready to list your home for sale, you may not be sure where to start. Here are the top three things your agent will want you to do to make sure that your home is ready to list.
1. Make Needed Repairs
Homeowners often get used to living in a home with wear and tear. However, when you are getting ready to sell, you need to make your home ready for the new owner. How do you determine what needs repairing?
First, you can simply go through your home and make notes of what is not working as it should. Look at doorknobs, latches, locks, light switches, garage doors, appliances, leaky faucets, mildewed grout, and more. Be sure to look at the exterior of your home as well. Broken fences, dead grass, or a junky shed can turn off a buyer. If you find something that is not in good working order, you should repair or replace it.
Alternatively, you can have your home pre-inspected. A professional inspector will look over your home and tell you what they find. In this way, you can fix the issues before potential buyers see your home
2. Consider Minor Renovations
One of the easiest and cheapest renovations to consider when putting your home up for sale is paint. Pick neutral tones for the walls in order to appeal to the widest selection of buyers. You may not need to paint every room, but be sure to paint any room that is dingy or is a focal point for the home.
Another inexpensive renovation is the removal of wallpaper. The choice of a wallpaper pattern is very personal. If a buyer doesn’t like the pattern, they may have a difficult time seeing themselves in the home. Removing the wallpaper helps give the buyer a good first impression.
Other renovations with a good return on investment include:
- Adding insulation
- Adding a new front door
- Minor kitchen and bathroom renovations
- New windows
- Converting a basement or attic into livable space
3. Compile Records and Documents
Finally, gather your records and documents. No matter which agent you choose they will need all of the nitty gritty details about your home.
You will need:
- Your sale agreement from when you bought your home
- Your deed and title report
- Recent property tax bills
- Survey reports, if applicable
- Homeowners insurance information
- Lease agreement, if you rent your property
- Rental agreements if you rent any of the equipment in the home like the hot water tank
- Home warranty information
- Appliance warranty information
- Mortgage loan payoff info
- Lead-based paint disclosure for homes built before 1978
Following these three tips will help you list your home when you are short on time, and if you have other questions…ask your knowledgable SAGE agent.
