Make a plan before deciding to sell
Written by Suzy Jedynak
So you’re ready to list your home for sale - great! But listing your home shouldn’t be a decision you make over the course of a weekend. Make a plan. Set a timeline for yourself to get things done to your home that you’ve been putting off. Maybe that looks like a year out, or maybe even three to six months out. If you’re serious about selling, however, have me over to see your house in person. I can guide you as to what needs to be done now, versus what can be left for the new owner to assume. Sometimes a partial kitchen remodel is all that’s needed, like paint, countertops and hardware, especially if your cabinets are in good condition. (And, I can suggest a great local cabinet painter!) It could potentially save you a boatload of money, as compared to a full on kitchen remodel. The kitchen is what‘s going to give you the best bang for your buck too in terms of recovering a percentage of what you put in. Meanwhile, fix what needs to be fixed in your home and plan to paint every room that needs it in a contemporary, neutral paint color. The end goal here is to make your home look attractive to potential buyers. Pay attention to ceilings and molding - make them crisp! If you are selling a house on behalf of an estate, and you didn’t plan on putting much if any money into the house, definitely have me out to assess the home. You’d be surprised what just a little sweat equity can do to increase the value.
Let’s talk clutter. It’s a tough conversation with sellers, I know. Everyone has some degree of clutter but when it’s time to list your house, it will show best if you clear the clutter. I tell my clients this: Eventually everything will be boxed up in bins and boxes, right? Start now boxing up things and putting them in the attic, garage, or even a family member’s house til you move. I’ve even had people rent a storage unit til they move. The end goal is to present a house with no clutter and a minimalistic decor. Take down the family photos, and pack away all personal items that you don’t use on a daily basis, but want to keep. The citywide garage sales are a great way to get rid of things and make money too. If you've never used Facebook marketplace, it too is an easy way to sell things. Many cities have a Buy Nothing page on Facebook and it’s a great way to give items away. They simply pick them up on your porch. End of summer? Box up and store away your summer clothes and decor. You won’t need them till next year! Beginning of the year? Box up all that Holiday decor and stow it away. The big box home improvement stores sell collapsed boxes. BUY THEM. Get a roll of strapping tape. And packing material. Don’t tell yourself “I’ll find free boxes when it’s time to move” because I guarantee A. You won’t have enough, and B. They won’t be in good condition. And if you’re asking a family member to store your boxes temporarily in their home til you move, wouldn’t it be best if you had uniform, brand new boxes that neatly stack in their home?
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Have me over to access your home and give you a comparative market analysis - what your house can sell for in today's market. I have also asked sellers to go see other homes on the market in their city (I call it a field trip), strictly for research purposes. We compare similar homes to theirs, apples to apples. Besides comparing asking price, It’s a great way to see how other seller’s present their homes. And when it’s time to list your house, I can help you stage it with items you already have. Think of it this way: now is your chance to show your house in its best light to appeal to eager buyers. Are you going to show up in ripped sweats or are you going to show up nicely dressed? It’s cliché, but you only get one chance to make a good first impression. And remember, I’m there with you every step of the way. We are in this together, as a team to get your house listed and sold for the highest offer in the least amount of time!
