Preparing Your Home for the Market

It is crucial to thoughtfully prepare your home before you put it up for sale. A home that is correctly staged and prepped will sell for thousands of dollars more. However, how do you know where to start? There are a lot of things you could prioritize, and you don’t want to put your time and money into the wrong things. That is why I have created a list of three things to focus on when preparing your home: 

• Do the three d’s. They are: declutter, depersonalize, and deep clean. These are the basics that shouldn’t be overlooked. Move as much of your stuff as you can into a storage locker or your friend’s garage temporarily to make your house look bigger. Take down your pictures and other personalized trinkets so potential buyers can picture their family in the home, not yours. Then make sure every surface is as clean as it can be, inside and out. Don’t forget about things like ceiling fans, windows, and gutters. 
• Take care of any deferred maintenance. This will benefit you a lot more than things like cosmetic upgrades. Deferred maintenance is where I see the most negotiations between buyers and sellers, as well as where sellers normally take the biggest hit. Examples could include broken dishwashers and stained carpets. Fixing these things will get you the highest return on your investment. 
• Hire the right agent. They should help you make the home look its best. One of the most common mistakes in this area is taking photos of a home with an iPhone. You need to have a professional photographer who will help you show the home in the best light, and your agent should help you with this. 

There is a lot that goes into selling a home, but I am here with you every step of the way. These three things will get you going in the right direction and earn you much more money for your home. If you have any questions or would like me to help you list, please reach out! Call or email me anytime.