To say that a lot goes into selling a home is an understatement. Your tasks start well before listing it on the market, like getting your finances in order and finding an agent to sell your home.
Depending on your unique situation, other errands might also pop up. You may find yourself stretched too thin, but with a Realtor, you can delegate and focus on these essential things to do before selling your home.
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Declutter
Part of preparing your home for sale is to sort through your belongings. That includes furniture, personal items, and home decor. What will you keep and what goes to the bin or the donation box?
Decluttering is also the first step in cleaning your home. Once you’ve gotten rid of accumulated bits and bobs, it will be easier to identify rooms and spaces that need extra care and attention. And once it is time to move, you have already done some of your packing.
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Deep-clean
Dirt and grime can build up in a home over the years, no matter how diligent you were in cleaning. And this build-up can cause lingering odors that might turn potential buyers off as soon as they walk through the door.
Deep-cleaning will give your property a thorough sweep. Every surface, corner, nook, and cranny will be washed, scrubbed, and polished.
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Repaint, retouch, replace
Two things that deep-cleaning won’t be able to address are faded walls, scratches, and scuff marks, which are part of the usual wear and tear homes get over time. Luckily, these minor cosmetic issues can be solved with a new coat of paint and some more polishing.
When choosing paint color, opt for neutral shades. It might seem you have a limited number of options at first, and neutral and buyer-friendly colors come in a wide range. These 16 shades work great in any room and include timeless beiges and standout mauves and greens.
As for scuff marks and scratches, your approach will depend on the severity. Most can be solved with extra polishing, but for deep scratches that already threaten the structural integrity of the affected surface, you may have to have it removed and replaced.
As a general rule, have anything that gives buyers the impression that your property is not well cared for checked and repaired.
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Set the scene
Once your home has been decluttered, deep-cleaned, retouched, and repaired, it is time to furnish it in a way that highlights all of its selling points. This can be done through home staging, which you can do yourself or hire a professional.
Home staging, however, can mean an added investment. If you are on a budget, concentrate on these four important rooms: the living room, the primary bedroom, the kitchen, and the dining room. Additional features —like a spare room, back yard or garden, and closets— can sell themselves.
The Yoshikane-Toyama Real Estate Group has more tips to share that will help you sell your home in Newport Beach, CA. Browse their blog here or get in touch at 714.501.7132 or J_Toyama(at)verizon(dotted)net.